If you know me at all, you may have noticed that I am an unabashed fan of the Coen brothers. So I was pretty excited to see their latest film, “True Grit” which is based on the Charles Portis novel of the same name. I just got back from the theatre and had to share my thoughts on this magnificent tale of the old west.
“True Grit” tells the story of Mattie Ross (played by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld), a 14 year old girl who has come to bring the man who killed her father to justice. She hires burnt out Marshall Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (played to perfection by Jeff Bridges) to help her track down the killer Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). They also end up in an uneasy alliance with Texas Ranger LaBouef (Matt Damon) who is also after Chaney for other reasons. Although Mattie hires Rooster Cogburn because she believes he is a man of ‘True Grit’ it is in fact Mattie that the title refers to, she is a tough cookie and will stop at nothing to avenge her father.
A previous version of “True Grit” was filmed in 1969 with John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, a role that would win him an Oscar and become his signature role. The film is dated but entertaining and those watching both films will find similar scenes as they are lifted from the same book. The 1969 version was crafted as a John Wayne vehicle and Rooster was made the central character. Mattie, although still supposed to be a young teen was played by a 22 year old Kim Darby, was basically along for the ride. The Coens opted to return to the book and made Mattie the central character and story teller of the film. They also decided that they needed an actress who was actually 14 years old, like in the book.
Although Jeff Bridges, as Rooster, is magnificent this is Hailee Steinfeld’s movie. With only a few short films and some TV stuff to her credit, she holds the screen like a seasoned professional. She has been nominated for a best supporting actress award at this years Oscars, mark my words, she takes the statue home. At 14 years old she displays as much maturity as her older cast mates.
With the 1969 version, Rooster Cogburn became a drunken, unkempt John Wayne. With this version Jeff Bridges becomes the Drunken, unkempt Rooster Cogburn. He is perfect as he grumbles and growls his dialogue past his hand rolled cigarettes. But no matter how dishevelled he seems, when he draws his pistol, you believe he means business.
As with all films directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the support cast is colourful. From Matt Damon’s clean and neat LaBouef (far better than the horrible Glen Campbell of the original) to the wretched outlaws including Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper, all the performances work. Some aren’t given very much screen time, but they all work and you will remember them.
Roger Deakin’s cinematography, with it’s palette of sombre browns is beautiful as is the costume design, production design and Carter Burwell’s score. Everything works and if there was one thing I would pick on, it would be a couple of poorly rendered process shots of the Rooster and Mattie on a horse at night near the end that just don’t look quite right. But that really is nit picking and doesn’t hurt the film.
This is highly recommended viewing. The western is back and it looks and sounds fantastic.
Originally published on My Year With Movies
Full Review On This Weeks Film Actually Podcast (episode 117)
