With all due respect to Jeff Bridges, an actor I enjoy, John Wayne is Rooster Cogburn. The remake of the original True Grit may be a fine movie on its own. I just don't know if I can be convinced to ignore the iconic performance of The Duke.
I couldn't find a clip of my absolute favorite lines, which come at the end of the film.
Mattie says: Trust you to buy another tall horse.
Rooster says: Yeah. He's not as game as Beau, but Stonehill says he can jump a four rail fence.
Mattie says: You are too old and fat to be jumping horses.
Rooster says: Well, come see a fat old man some time!
Then he waves his hat and jumps the fence.
Mr Bridges may do a fine job with the character. The film may be a fine western. But John Wayne is Rooster Cogburn. I just can't see it any other way.
"Baby sister, I was born game and I intend to go out that way!"
