In 1969, "Thunderbolt" made a generation of Western hero John Wayne finally realize the dream of Oscar winner, and later made a sequel. However, according to today's audience's aesthetics of Westerns, all aspects of the film appear relatively old-fashioned, mediocre, and outdated. The characters in the film all look too modern, and the western features are not strong. Even if these main characters are taken out of the film and put on the street, the costumes will not attract too much attention, and it will not satisfy the modern audience's perception of the western. film imagination. The narrative is too comprehensive and slow-paced to be entertaining or exciting enough for modern audiences. In addition, the choice and design of this film's location are too impersonal, with sunny, green mountains and green valleys, and beautiful pastoral fields, which are too different from the aesthetic expectations of modern audiences for the "Wild West". These have become remakes and can be improved. place.
The Coen brothers have a special liking for the theme of Westerns. Even with the modern background, "No Country for Old Men" is still photographed as a wild, lawless Western, so this time a traditional Western is remade, the Coen brothers can naturally do their best. The director of the exhibition has brewed the charm of Western films to be extra rich and mellow. This remake maintains enough respect for the old version, mainly to upgrade, not to reinvent the wheel. Many classic lines and basic scenes have not changed, and the simple and clear plot has not changed. It can be called the Coen Brothers. The easiest to watch understand works. However, in terms of perspective, style, characters, details, and character relationships, the old version has been rendered and strengthened more personalized, so that the main elements of the old version have become more full, and the potential of replaying brilliance has been fully exerted. The cold western winter in the Coen Brothers' lens is desolate and desolate, revealing an uncivilized wild atmosphere. The steam locomotive, the straight dirt roads of the small town and the simple buildings also immediately let the audience enter the atmosphere of the western film from the very beginning. Especially in the plot and characters, it shows the Coen brothers' accurate grasp and wonderful sublimation of the essence of the old version.
At the beginning of the film, the murder process of the little girl's father was not described too comprehensively like the old version, but this episode was passed through the little girl Marty's voice-over. The stories are also unfolded from the perspective of the little girl. Let the audience follow her to experience this western adventure. The sense of substitution is undoubtedly stronger than the old version. The perseverance and bravery of the little girl also left a deep impression on the audience. Compared with the old version, the plot of the whole film has not changed, but it has been strengthened with a sense of wildness and legend. The doctor in bear skin, the sense of the seasons of falling snow, the creation of light and shadow in the night scene, and the meticulous care of all kinds of details make the film have a pure western taste far better than the old version. In addition, the two shootout scenes were also made to be more atmospheric and more legendary, especially at the end, Sheriff Cogburn 1 V 4 gangsters, galloping across the wide grassland, firing both guns left and right, and the gangsters were shot one after another. The fall from the horse, the heroic and fearless aura, interprets the words "Western Hero" vividly and tightly.
The film has also carried out a more delicate portrayal of the role relationship, changing the teamwork of the old version of Sheriff Cogburn, Texas Ranger LaBeouf and the little girl Marty to pursue the murderer, but to highlight them each other. The contradictions caused by different goals and personalities, as well as the friendships formed in the bumps. Marty wants to kill his father's murderer Tom Cheney in the local law, but LaBeouf wants to bring him to Texas to be punished. Just parted ways with LaBeouf, which is the reason why the two ambushed the bandits next to the hut, and LaBeouf suddenly appeared, creating more suspense and variables in the plot. Later, LaBeouf said goodbye to the two again and fought as a surprise soldier in the final battle, which also had the same effect. In addition, Cogben and LaBeouf are bragging and conceited guys getting together, it is inevitable to compete with each other, and at this time, the role of the little girl as a clue character is also highlighted, and she becomes the relationship between the two big men. The lubricant of the two people often interjected to ease their emotions when the two were about to turn their faces. The interactive rivalry of the three also became an interesting point of view in the film.
The unique sense of humor of the Coen brothers also flashes from time to time in the film, adding a witty and playful flavor to the overall serious plot atmosphere. In the execution scene at the beginning, the first two prisoners can put on their hoods after saying their last words, while the third Indian prisoner is rudely hooded after saying "My last words are..." Made fun of the racism of the time. There are old and new versions of the little girl Marty riding a pony to swim across the river regardless of the danger, but the new version has a scene of Sheriff Cogburn being dumbfounded after she swims ashore, and then pops out of her mouth: "It's true A good horse!" Immediately, there was a sense of joy that the old version did not have. There is also a scene in which Cogburn and LaBeouf compete to shoot bread. The scene where Cogben helps LaBeouf deal with his injured tongue is even more of a bad taste of the Coen brothers. In addition, the stern and cruel style of the Coen brothers is also reflected in the film. The main characters in the shootout have more scenes of bloody injuries. After the little girl was bitten by a poisonous snake at the end, the old version arranged a close reunion. The ending, and the new version left her with a lifelong regret of a broken arm.
The Coen brothers' super skill in shaping individual characters has also been brought into full play in this film. The three main characters, the little girl Marty, the sheriff Cogburn and the Texas Ranger LaBeouf, also appear in the shape and character. more personality. Marty's braids, meticulous conservative clothing, all show her identity as a country girl and her strong religious beliefs. Cogburn's scruffy appearance and a pair of hazy drunk eyes that are always closed, have more of a decadent man and anti-hero than the old version of John Wayne. The fringes on LaBeouf's clothes and the spurs on his boots are all in the style of Texas cowboys. The wonderful performances of the three actors Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, and Matt Damon made the director's expectations for the role not disappointed and even more glorious. In particular, the little-known Hailee Steinfeld once again proved the vicious vision of the big director in selecting actors. Just like Zhou Dongyu in "Love in the Hawthorn Tree", she has no acting experience worth mentioning. She was selected by the director from thousands of people to play the most important role in the film, and the media also expressed doubts. But what was the result? Anyone who has watched the movie will be shocked by the amazing acting skills of this little girl under 15 years old! It is no exaggeration to say that the biggest difference and highlight of the new version from the old version is her!
Hailee Steinfeld's appearance looks younger than the characters in the old version, but she has a stronger sense of maturity beyond her age. At the beginning of the film, she has two conversations with the coffin shop owner and businessman, and immediately the character is stubborn and strong, The characteristics of firm belief, good calculation, sharp words and aggressiveness are vividly displayed, and the grasp of subtle emotions and the tone and rhythm of the lines are also very charming. It can be said that the audience can see her flashing all over her body as soon as she appears. The brilliance and powerful aura of the character make people wonder if there is a westerner's soul attached to this little girl born in the 90s, otherwise how can she interpret the rustic and the sense of the times on the character so well, so Fresh flesh. So much so that at the end of the film, when an old actor was cast as an adult Marty, it immediately made people feel that the brilliance of the character was gone, and it was not powerful. The Coen brothers also want to make the remake look brand new through Hailee Steinfeld's wonderful performance. However, Hailee Steinfeld did not play the role as an overly mature "monster". In her unyielding words, the audience could keenly capture the timidity and vulnerability she revealed, but she was very It's just a cover up with tough words. If it is only about acting, then all the nominees for this year's Oscar heroine and supporting actress will be overshadowed by the light of this little girl. When signing up, the filmmakers undoubtedly came up with the strategy of winning, and signed her, who was originally the female lead role, to the female supporting department to increase the winning factor. If the judges didn't take into account the fame and status of the other nominees, Hailee Steinfeld would be well-deserved for Best Supporting Actress.
And Jeff Bridges' Best Actor nomination, the nature of participation is far greater than the possibility of winning, because the old man just won the Best Actor last year. Although Sheriff Cogburn was portrayed by him to be more brilliant than John Wayne, who was the best actor in the past, no matter it is this decadent male image with a cold outside and a hot inside, a flawed western hero, and a funny style of convulsions, he is very fond of Jay. For F. Bridges, there are not too many challenges, and he is skilled and skillful in acting, which is not enough to be the best actor for two consecutive years. And this year, Colin Firth's "King Acting" reigns in the world. Jesse Eisenberg of "The Social Network" and James Franco of "127 Hours" also have breakthrough performances. Mr. Regis will go to Oscar Lele with a supportive mentality this year! The best director and best picture nominations for the Coen brothers are basically the same. The glory of No Country for Old Men is still fresh in everyone's memory. This remake is relatively stable on the whole, and the honor of the best actor should be left to others.
Finally, I would like to say a few digressions about some of the thoughts that the film caused the author. Recently, the People's Daily published a signed article by Ren Lixuan, "A Rational Approach to Current Social Justice Issues," isn't it a lively discussion? And "Thunderbolt" happens to be a movie that promotes the spirit of "justice" and "justice". , might as well take a look at how the old beauty did it more than 100 years ago, maybe you can get some gains. The little girl Marty always talks about "I have a good lawyer" in the film. This sentence is so magical that it can make a savvy businessman willing to lose money and let the captured The gangster can tell the information, and it can also be used to make deals with the gang leader after he is captured, and can even be used to threaten the boatmen who will not cross the river for her. The belief in the law is so powerful. The way the little girl seeks revenge is also to bring the murderer to justice through the police officer. What if the police officer does not allow her to pursue the murderer and law enforcement? The little girl said, "I'm going to use it (referring to the pistol) to kill Tom Cheney if the law fails to punish him!" The path to justice, but if the law fails to deliver justice, then the individual's actions are used to deliver justice. In contrast to today's Chinese society, the social justice maintained by the law and people's trust in the law are not as good as those in the western United States more than 100 years ago. The courage of the Chinese to practice justice through personal behavior is not as good as that of the little girl in the film! Aren't these contrasts worth pondering? (Text / Levin)
View more about True Grit reviews
