Man...How I Love This Film

 Part of my workday routine is to take a few minutes and step away from the computer, the monitors, and the phone. I leave my home office behind and venture into the garage...where our home gym is located. Lately, even though I work out somewhat early in the day, it still gets warm in our non-temperature- regulated space. There's one thing, however, that I really enjoy while I bike, walk, ellipse, that takes my mind away from the temperature...

And that's dropping in a DVD and watching a few minutes of a movie or TV series.

The latest feature that helped get me though the heated sessions...the Coen Brother's True Grit. I love that film.

For the most part, I enjoy almost all the Coen Brother's films. I can see why they're not everyone's cup of tea. I know there's a lot of elements that make up a film--even a bad film. What sets these particular brothers's film apart--for me--is the writing. I absolutely love their writing.

In True Grit their style of writing fits perfectly with the genre. I think the panoramic views in the original True Grit are better. I haven't seen it in a while, but I remember those incredible Southern Utah vista...it's hard to beat, really. The views from the re-make seem more real, more barren, more desolate. It's fitting for the story.

As I watched the last part of the film and before the credits rolled, I was still amazed at the simple language choices. Since I did not live in the western United States at the turn of the twentieth century, I cannot say for certain that the manner in which they spoke in the movie is an accurate reflection of the language and speaking style of the time. But, even if not, it sure sounds good. Watching the film again, I was reminded at how much I enjoyed the words, the sentences, the verbal sparing, the way all these elements helped to make this a great film.

I Do Like A Good Coen Brothers Movie...

I see few movies. In the grand scheme of things, it's not something that's proven important as I've grown older. Don't get me wrong--I do enjoy movies, but there are so many out there and I really don't have the money or time to watch them all. I'd like to say all that time and money saved by not watching a lot of movies was spent building a sailboat in the garage, or learning how to speak a foreign language.

But I can't. I know I've done other stuff with my time, but the results are less tangible.

But last night I came across Hail, Caesar, a movie written by Joel and Ethan Coen, also known as The Coen Brothers. I remember when I first saw the show. I thought the premise looked promising when it was advertised in the theaters. I said to myself I'd give it a shot when it was available for the cheapest price possible.

When I finally watched it I enjoyed it a lot. Then I remembered who wrote it and I realized why. The Coens have produced some of the most critically acclaimed movies over the past thirty years. I haven't seen them all, but the ones I have seen, I've loved. Perhaps my introduction to their genius was the 1984 classic, Raising Arizona, still one of my all-time favorite movies, comedy or otherwise. Another favorite, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? was a gem, and even though Oscar-winning and nominated actors are stacked in their films, it's the dialogue that draws me in.

Case in point, it's a small scene in Hail, Caesar, but when I saw it again last night, I just sat their and enjoyed every word. The scene is set in a Hollywood board room in the 1950s. The story's main character, Eddie Mannix (played by Josh Brolin...) converses with representatives of various American faiths. He needs to convince them that their latest picture will not be found offensive to the different congregations represented. Mannix's reaction to each leader's objections/recommendations/blessing is so good. The Coens don't hit you over the head with their words. They allow them to tell you a story, to take you on a ride.

A screenplay I absolutely loved was from the 2010 remake of True Grit. I enjoyed the original--it's a classic and I worried the remake might not measure up. Maybe to some it didn't, but I felt each line of that script sounded to me like poetry, pure poetry. Maybe it's my experience on a stage, or as a writer. Whatever they do and how ever they do it, there's something about those words that carry me away.

I see few movies. Maybe that's why the ones I've seen written by Joel and Ethan Coen have such an effect. Or maybe, it's because they're just so good at what they do.