Movie Review Rewind: True Grit (2010)

Brandon Vick flips the calendar back to 2010 for a look at the Coen Brothers remake of True Grit on this edition of Movie Review Rewind.

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It takes guts to remake a film that is cherished by many and gave John Wayne his only Oscar, but Joel and Ethan Coen did just that with True Grit. It is brilliant and fresh, and is undoubtedly a Coen brothers film. A lot of people could only put one face with the character of Rooster Cogburn and that would be the face of John Wayne. And those are big boots to fill, but Jeff Bridges is more than capable of doing such a thing, and his performance is spectacular and should at least get him another Oscar nomination if not a victory.

A young 14 year-old girl named Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) hires Rooster Cogburn (Bridges), the toughest U.S. Marshal she can find, in order to avenge her father’s death by tracking down Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the man who killed her father and got away, and making him hang for it. Cogburn, being the roguish, drunk renegade he is, does not want a little girl following him through the Indian Nations looking for a murderer. It would be safer for Mattie and in her best interest to let him go alone, but she will not have it. As much as Cogburn disagrees, nothing will stop her from finding her father’s killer.

However, they are not the only two looking for Chaney. Texas Ranger Laboeuf (Matt Damon) has been searching for him for a crime he committed in Texas and if he can bring Chaney back to Texas then there is a big reward in it for him. And Laboeuf and Cogburn are no strangers to each other and are far from being friends. But all three of them are looking for the same guy which makes them all on the same team whether they like it or not.

This film has a terrific cast. When you have Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin all in one film, that is something to brag about. But Hailee Steinfeld almost steals the entire film away from all three of those guys. This is her first role in a feature film and she stands toe-to-toe with Bridges, Damon and Brolin and comes across as an old pro. There is a scene in the film where Mattie is trading and selling ponies and we find out just how independent, intelligent, and confident she is. Chaney has no idea who he is messing with and neither do Cogburn and LaBoeuf. The Coens found a talented, young actress who is a force to be reckoned with. Steinfeld’s performance is extraordinary.

Brolin plays a pivotal character but actually is not in the film that much. He does a nice job with the role of Chaney, but does not get a lot of screen time. Damon plays a pompous, irritating Texas Ranger who puts himself up on a pedestal, but Cogburn knocks him off of it any chance he gets. Like Cogburn, he underestimates Mattie but ends up respecting her dedication and courageousness. And you would never think it but Damon and Bridges make quite the comedy duo. Damon can be the main star in a film (Bourne trilogy, The Good Shepherd, The Informant!) or in a supporting role (Oceans trilogy, Hereafter, Invictus), but either way, we can always count on him being the proficient actor that he is.

Joel and Ethan Coen have created a straight-forward, old-fashioned Western that is driven by revenge. True Grit is simplistic yet riveting and suspenseful at the same time. The Coens capture beautiful landscapes and splendid performances. While rough and violent at times, the film also contains love, emotion, and more importantly and perhaps surprisingly, humor.

True Grit is probably the most mainstream film the Coens have ever made. Every person can find something to enjoy about this film. I believe the biggest enjoyment of them all are the performances by Bridges and Steinfeld. It just does not get any better or more impressive. And whatever you do, do not hide from this film because you are afraid that  if you see it, you will be turning your back on The Duke. Both films can co-exist but if you are going to remake a film, this True Grit is how it’s done.

Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

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