True Grit

Four Stars

The Coen Brothers have done it again. They have made another masterpiece, this time a straight western. This True Grit is not a remake of the classic John Wayne movie but rather an adaptation of the same 1968 novel. And the Coen Brothers manage to put their own unique touch on the story, helped by great acting, superb writing and cinematography.

In 1878, fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross (played brilliantly by Hailee Steinfeld) wished to avenge the death of her father, who died at the hands of a man named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Mattie seeks help from U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) in tracking and capturing the fugitive Chaney. At the same time, Cogburn and Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon) are on the trail of another outlaw named Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper), looking to split a reward on his capture as well as knowing that Chaney is among Pepper's men.

At first, Cogburn and La Boeuf are unsure what to make of young Mattie, but she proves herself to be a strong-minded and strong-willed person up to the challenge of tracking and hunting down her father's killer. Over the course of the movie, they encounter a number of ups and downs, including ambushes and kidnapping, that eventually culminate in a thrilling shoot-out.

One of the things that stands out in this movie is the acting. Everyone is at the top of their game, from Coen Brothers staples Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski) and Josh Brolin (No Country For Old Men) to newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. Steinfeld shows how she is wise beyond her years in her first major film role by giving a very convincing performance that manages not to get overshadowed by all the big names surrounding her. Matt Damon also does a fine job, as he and Jeff Bridges both had the difficult task of balancing moments of comedy with moments of extreme seriousness.

Cinematography was another stand-out feature. Rather than just go with wide shot after wide shot to exploit the beautiful locations used throughout the movie, the Coen Brothers manage to no overdo it with sweeping visuals. But Coen Brothers are not unfamiliar with westerns, as No Country For Old Men incorporated several elements of the genre. Ultimately, the Coens are able to create a world that feels very genuine without all the cliche of a typical western landscape.

The writing is not to be overlooked as well. The Coen Brothers are well-known for their eclectic dialogue in their movies, and in True Grit it is once again top notch. One fine example of this is early on in the movie is a scene where Mattie Ross negotiates with a businessman over being reimbursed for her father's losses, including his horses and pieces of California gold. The back and forth banter, bargaining and haggling perfectly demonstrates the skillful writing of a well-polished script.

For those worried about the level violence or sex in the movie, do not be worried. There is none of the latter and brief moments of the former. Yes, people get shot and stabbed but there is very little blood. And this is because the movie is not about violence. It is about revenge, and the connection made between Mattie Ross and Rooster Cogburn. The Coen Brothers know to not let over-the-top violence get in the way of this great story.

Until next time, Orange Hat Guy