A real grit time!

True Grit.

The film is a remake of a classic John Wayne picture, which was based on a book. This version keeps a bit more true to the book I have been told – I cannot confirm this though, as I have not seen the original or read the book. I can tell you though that this movie is a great deal of fun and it’s definitely worth seeing!

Mattie Ross (played wonderfully by Hailee Steinfeld) is a little girl whose father was shot and killed by a man name Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Instead of crying about it, Mattie decides to hire Marshall “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), whose reputation is for shooting first, asking questions later (as demonstrated in the courtroom scene in the first act of the film) to find Chaney and bring him to justice (one way or another). He agrees but only after Mattie’s persistence wears him down. They are joined by Texas Ranger Laboeuf (Matt Damon) and thus begins the hunt for Chaney.

The hunt is where the bulk of the film takes place – sure they find him near the end, but getting there is the fun part. Rooster is a heavy drinker but relatively good man, who butts heads with Laboeuf because Laboeuf feels he is superior. Mattie sometimes has to act as referee between the two.

I loved all the characters in this film, obviously Mattie and Rooster are cool and are probably the best, but I actually really liked Laboeuf too and all 3 of them are just great. Brolin has little to do in his small role, but plays it well.

Great film all around and a must buy for me.

On a side note, why is it that western films get better with time and comedies and action movies get worse. Unforgiven, 3:10 To Yuma, Appaloosa, and True Grit are all great, while crappy comedies and badly filmed action movies are running wild. I think the studios think that westerns are for an older audience or something and decide they should be made well.

Whatever, as long as one genre is getting good stuff.

4/5 for True Grit.

J-Man.