True Grit

True Grit


A film review by: David Ramirez

★★★★/★★★★

The Coen brothers return with True Grit a western unlike any other out there today or any other day for that matter. To call “True Grit” just another western or even compare it to the original would be doing a great disservice to this film and its film makers. Saddle up and prepare for the ride that is True Grit.


Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Changey, 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross sets out to capture the killer. To aid her, she hire the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, a man with "true grit" Rueben J. "Rooster" Cogburn. Mattie insists on accompanying Cogburn, who's drinking, sloth and generally reprobate character does not augment her faith in him. Against his wishes, she joins him his trek into the Indian Nations in search of Chaney. They are joined by Texas Ranger LeBoeuf, who wants Chaney for his own purposes. The unlikely trio find danger and surpises on the journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested.


In his long and varying career Jeff Bridges has played many different characters from the down and out “Dude” in the “The Big Lebowski” to the musican “Bad Blake” in “Crazy Heart”. Rooster Cogburn has to truly be the most unique character he has played yet. Bridges plays the surly and more often than not drunk Cogburn to perfection, and really makes us care about the character. As we get to know “Rooster” Cogburn we see he is more than a drunk trigger happy US Marshal. He is truly determined on his mission and will do whatever it takes to complete his task and keep his young companion safe.


The unrecognizable Matt Damon plays the Texas Ranger LaBouf who is truly a less likable character at the start of the movie then Cogburn for the simple fact that he seems to be out for himself. As the film progresses we find that there is more to LaBoeuf then his cocky exterior, he has a good heart and deep down inside cares for his companions on their journey. This is truly one of my favorite characters Matt Damon has played.

The true stand out in “True Grit” is the young Hailee Steinfeld who plays the fast talking, hard dealing, yet still a little immature Mattie Ross. Hailee Steinfeld seemingly effortlessly brings the character to life and makes us care about this young women on a quest for revenge. Mattie Ross is a young women forced to grow up very fast do to her circumstances, and unlike most young women who would cave under the pressure, she stands firm. Hailee Steinfeld is a true up and comer and in this film she gives us a look at her potential.


Another pair of stand outs in the movie comes in the form of the two main villains Tom Chaney played excellently by Josh Brolin and Lucky Ned Pepper played by Barry Pepper. Josh Brolin plays the insecure and vengeful Tom Chaney. His screen time may be short but we truly learn through Brolins performance that Chaneys motivation for his deeds are based on his own insecurity and anger. On the flip side we have Lucky Ned Pepper played by Berry Pepper. Outside of the fact that you cannot recognize Berry Pepper in the Film, he plays the perfect villain. He is vicious and is only looking out for himself and will stop at nothing, even if that means killing a young girl to get away.


The Coen’s have done something very interesting here with the use of angles as opposed to using a lot of close up shots. Most films always feel the need to be right on top of big action scenes, and the Coen’s do the opposite, taking the vantage points of one of the other characters. By doing this the Coen’s give the viewer a very unique view, and make you feel like you’re truly at the location with the characters rather than just watching on the big screen.

During the age of movies with big special effects the Coen brothers have brilliantly brought back the Western genre. The acting by all the actors is truly top notch and they truly epitomize the characters they are playing. If you enjoy the Coen Brothers' past work and are looking for a different take on the traditional western, then I say saddle up and take the ride that is True Grit.