Remakes, hah! I’ve had enough of them and they’re never as good as the original, so why bother? Oh, but then there’s 2010’s True Grit – a western drama that manages to steal the limelight from the original and rightly so. This horse-back riding, gun-toting Western is started and captured by the smart-mouthed Mattie Ross; a hard-bargaining 14-yr-old looking to have justice for her father’s murder by bringing in the killer, Tom Chaney.
In undertaking such an adventure, Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) hires the aged but gritty Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), who’s not to be swayed by life’s hardships (just so long as there’s enough alcohol). Tagging onto their posse is the self-impressed Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who’s been tailing Chaney (Josh Brolin) for months, both for his bounty as much as for his honour.
But these aren’t exactly noble times, and Mattie’s endeavour is made all the harder by the harsh brutality of these western hills, shown in the callousness of the townsfolk and their morbid acceptance of death, to the point that the town flock to watch the entertainment of daily hangings. It’s this world that our young heroine is entering, but she’s not to be deterred by its challenges, or to be undermined as she’s judged both by her age and gender. Being initially alone in her aim of bringing Chaney to hang, she appears older than she is, partly out of bravado and also because she’s exceptionally mature and cleverer than most. However, it’s also poignantly clear that she’s trying to fill the shoes of an adult, and not just any, but her father’s – beautifully captured as she stuffs newspaper in his hat so it may fit her – although when she’s in danger she clings to retrieve it, reminding us not only of her intention to seek revenge for her father, but that’s she’s also just a child wanting her dad.
In employing Cogburn to arrest her father’s killer, Mattie feels it’s within her right to accompany him as he attempts to track Chaney through the wilderness of America. However, because of her age, gender, and inexperience, Cogburn feels differently, trying his best to ditch her from joining him. But she’s a force to be reckoned with, and in slowly seeing this their relationship changes, moving from just being a job, to a friendship and finally a connection bordering on the father-daughter; with Mattie recently having lost her own, to Cogburn seeing in Mattie his estranged son – her unusual tomboy attitude heightening this. Meanwhile LaBoeuf, who is in love with the idea of honour, becomes a sort of bully when he feels his position of “esteemed” authority (self-placed that is) being challenged by a young girl – a point he really can’t get over, and which highlights the sexism of women aren’t cowboys, especially little girls.
This prejudice is only a part of the times, with the film making small but meaningful comments on other areas of discrimination, such as the treatment of indigenous Americans – shown when a sentenced man is stopped from saying his last words, while those before had as much freedom of speech as they wanted.
Throughout the film Mattie displays more bravery and honour than the two lawmakers, and when they themselves begin to recognise this, they slowly change in their assumptions.
Hailee Steinfeld was highly acclaimed for her blockbuster debut in True Grit, and you’d be hard pressed to imagine anyone else in the role, and it’s clear the casting director thought the same, auditioning over 15,000 girls. Another star, and constant pull to the movies, is Jeff Bridges as Marshall Cogburn, his character being very much a ‘shoot quickly by being the first to draw’ kind of guy. His rough drawl mixed with drunken slurs makes his accent genuinely believable and adds to the demeanour of a rough-tough Marshall, but I know for many his words became like a guessing game. The accents are continued with Matt Damon, who is easier to understand in his role as LaBoeuf, that is until he bites his tongue – although this sudden impediment is somewhat inconsistent at times. Still this is one of the best roles I’ve seen him in, his performance of LaBoeuf (though still instantly recognisable as Matt Damon) strengthens the multiple sides to the ranger – gentleman, scoundrel, bully. His character adding to the plotlines around Mattie, and making her character especially likeable as she shoots straight in her words, in particular to LeBoeuf. Their scenes together being some of the strongest and most real of the film. Bridges meanwhile merges so perfectly with his character that I now believe him to be a one-eyed alcoholic Marshall.
A great Western, 2010’s True Grit sets itself to be on par with those that have long decked cinema’s hall of fame. Its smart alec replies, witty remarks and brilliant banter (mainly from Mattie’s character) help to make this a classic, and an all-round pleaser.
Directors & Writers: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
Other notable works:
- The Tragedy of Macbeth 2021 (Joel Coen solo)
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs 2018
- Bridge of Spies 2015
- Fargo 2014 –
- Inside Llewyn Davis 2013
- No Country for Old Men 2007
- The Man Who Wasn’t There 2001
- Down from the Mountain 2000
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? 2000
- The Big Lebowski 1998
- Fargo 1996
- Barton Fink 1991
- Miller’s Crossing 1990
- Raising Arizona 1987
- Blood Simple 1984
Based on the book True Grit by Charles Portis.
