TRUE GRIT REVIEW

Way back in the day, Westerns were everywhere. You couldn’t walk down the street without falling over one. My dad still recounts tales of all the old school western’s and while the Eastwood’s of the world certainly have done a great service to the genre, there is nothing like the John Wayne (and others of his ilk) driven movies…as my Dad would no doubt agree.

And speaking of John Wayne, he starred in the original True Grit in 1569 (or something). But before somebody start’s brandishing the remake stick, Joel & Ethan Coen have not gone down the remake path here. Nope, they’ve come up with their own version of the Charles Portis book. The story here, isn’t going to melt your mind, nor will it have you scratching your chin attempting to figure out what’s going on. Basically, True Grit is a revenge story. Mattie Ross’s (Hailee Steinfeld) father get’s killed by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) and she enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn to track down the cowardly killer. LeBoeuf (Matt Damon) is a ranger and he too tags along for the ride.

Alot of the dialogue is lifted straight from the book and the Coen’s, who are normally superb at dialogue have left the original novel do the speaking here for the best part. And what a best part it is. True Grit is a wonderful movie.

Jeff Bridges slips into the dirty, old U.S. Marshall guise brilliantly. At times his mumbling is almost inaudible as he swagger’s around the place projecting a seriously bad ass vibe to anyone within 100 feet. Matt Damon, who’s eaten a few burgers for the role, is also equally great. While he doesn’t have a huge amount of screen time, the bulk of which is Bridges and Steinfeld, when he is there he is funny and very likeable. The runaway star of True Grit though, is reserved for Hailee Steinfeld. Her character has more ball’s and zing than the entire male cast put together and her delivery of line after line of fast and furious dialogue is brilliantly spot on. One scene that comes to mind is the “discussion” with a lawyer, where she has put him in his place in the blink of an eye.

While the ending feels slightly rushed, the pacing is perfect. There’s not a moment where you are left hanging around as the movie gallops along to the closing credits. The look of the movie is testament to a keen eye for detail from the Coen’s as this journey to the Wild West is, to my eyes, incredibly authentic.

Overall True Grit is a must watch. It’s funny, touching and above all a damn fine piece of entertainment!