True Grit

Release Date: 18 February 2011
Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, Matt Damon
Details: US/109mins 15A

The Brothers Coen once again hit a career highpoint with this excellent western remake that mixes drama, comedy, and quirky but believable characters, seamlessly. The impressive starry names all give stellar turns, but its newcomer Hailee Steinfeld who acts every single one of them off the screen with an exceptionally composed and mature performance. It may be early in the year, but True Grit will be amongst the best of the bunch come the end of 2011.

Steinfeld is ballsy young teen Mattie Ross, who turns up in ramshackle town in the late 1800s looking to see the man who mugged, then murdered her father brought to justice. There she pursues a lawman she is told has real 'true grit' to help capture he fathers assailant - Jeff Bridges US Marshall Rooster Cogburn. After finally convincing him to work for her, they are joined by Matt Damon's buffoonish Texas Ranger who is in pursuit of the same man for a different crime. Together, they set off on the hunt for the criminal through some hazardous terrain.

An ensemble piece at its core, Bridges may ostensibly be the lead here, but it's Steinfeld who really carries the film - rarely off screen and delivering narration when she is. Her character is in many ways the quintessential heroine; strong-willed, smart and the proprietor of an acerbic mouth that just might get her in trouble before the film ends. Bridges laconic, mumbled delivery is the perfect antithesis to Steinfeld's articulate ramblings. While Damon's purpose is to be the comic relief and he duly obliges with a very funny supporting turn. After being introduced ominously, he's soon made clear to be a moron.

In terms of tone, and establishing a canvas where actors can really thrive, no one can touch the Coens. True Grit really shouldn't be funny given its penchant for violence and concoction of gruff characters - but it is, gleefully so. Brolin's on-the-run convict is introduced at the perfect time, giving the film urgency just as it becomes sweet, and pushing it towards a hugely entertaining final twenty minutes.

After the sombre moody atmospherics of No Country For Old Men, the Coen's prove again that their talents are as eclectic as they are brilliant. Few other films in recent memory have managed to deliver drama, comedy and shootouts in such a balanced, organic way. Save for an unneeded epilogue, this is absolutely cracking stuff.

Review by Mike Sheridan

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Your Comments

Happy Chappy

I can't wait to see this - I loved the original.

Posted 09/02/2011 12:01:59

movie_fan08

stupid film

Posted 12/02/2011 20:10:44

AnimalLover1

True s**t. Shameless showcasing of animal brutality. Rest in peace Little Blackie.

Posted 12/02/2011 22:21:27

jcritic

grow up animal lover...the film was set in the wild west. It also depicts people being hanged in public...I suppose this is cruelty to humans! Fantastic film

Posted 15/02/2011 10:43:19

sonofbelial

Er... Given the hold PETA etc. has on Hollywood I seriously doubt there is actual animal cruelty going on. Looking forward to seeing this film.

Posted 15/02/2011 17:57:27

PaddyIrishGirl

Saw this today. It was good but why so many speach impediments?? Matt Damon and Josh Brolin - I didn't understand half of what they were saying. Jeff Bridges was excellent and the little girl was brilliant. Domhnaill Gleeson was in it too - short but great role. Overall though, it wasn't my kinda flick. I'd recommend to anyone who likes westerns!!

Posted 15/02/2011 23:20:28

Tyler Durden

The accents were a distraction, even if Damon's character did get injured, did it have to affect his speech so much? The cinematography from Deakins was sumptuous, amazing colours/tones. As for pacing, I thought Brolin could have been brought in a little earlier... Bridges is as good as ever (and funny) but Steinfeld steals the movie as Mattie. (Overall, nowhere nearly as good as 'Old Country').

Posted 16/02/2011 20:59:36

Richard

My bum can't wait to see it, it's been a while since it's had true grit!!!

Posted 18/02/2011 14:42:44

Happy Chappy

Maybe I'm going deaf but I think american movie stars are getting more and more unintelligible. I end up looking across the room at someone going *what did he say?*

Posted 18/02/2011 17:30:27

Bullet1001

The first part of this film is brilliant. As you'd expect from the Coens, the dialogue was hilarious, with the young Hailee Steinfeld stealing the show. Other characters tended to be somewhat unintelligible in parts, but there were many great lines, including from the Irish undertaker at the start (a Galway man, according to IMDB!). It was the funniest western I ever saw, (and I include the excellent Unforgiven) and I think I was crying from laughter at one point! However, I thought it tailed off once they went on the hunt and I didn't see any point in the epilogue either. It wasn't nice to see the horse die, but it was either it or the girl and as someone else said, it was set in the Wild West, where human life wasn't much respected, never mind animal life. Overall, a great film and well worth a look.

Posted 20/02/2011 15:32:19

AnimalLover1

I am sorry Jcritic but those men were tried and convicted murderers who deserved nothing else. What crime did Little Blackie commit and where was due process? PETA me arse

Posted 20/02/2011 16:49:34

moviefan

are you for real animal lover? do you really think they killed the horse making the movie or are u just trying to find something to moan about. It was supposed to be a realistic view of the west and guess what? horse were killed and sometimes eaten! if it makes u feel better I'm sure little blackie sold drugs to kids. Grow up and appreciate the movie for what it is.

Posted 21/02/2011 10:27:33

AnimalLover1

Wow thanks for that moviefan - that cute little pony deserves an oscar. Sure had me fooled!

Posted 21/02/2011 17:09:27

moviefan

Animal lover 1 i'll resist the temptation to make a comment like "based on your earlier post i wouldnt think that was it too hard to fool you" wait a minute......look what i just did!

Posted 22/02/2011 13:08:23

AnimalLover1

Movie fan this is a film review site - not twitter. Am off to another movie...

Posted 22/02/2011 16:58:23

anto13

want to see ture grit have on of the worst film i have seen this year

Posted 26/02/2011 16:31:05

chell3

Didn't hold my attention at all

Posted 11/03/2011 21:07:27

spikeprint

It was good to a point, then melted like cheese under a grill. A grill made directly out of the sun. The choice of music was also made of cheesestrings. True Grit? Give me The Proposition any day.

Posted 16/03/2011 00:38:45

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