15 years on, Joel and Ethan Coen’s elegant adaptation of Charles Portis’ classic novel, True Grit, remains one of the best Westerns released this century.
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Genre: Western, Period Drama
Run Time: 110′
Rated: PG-13
U.S. Release: December 22, 2010
U.K. & Ireland Release: February 11, 2011
Where to Watch: On Digital & VOD
When it was announced that Joel and Ethan Coen (Fargo, No Country for Old Men) would adapt Charles Portis’ 1968 novel, “True Grit”, for the big screen, expectations were inevitably high. There was also an intrigue as to what the siblings’ reimagining of Portis’ exquisite, quietly reflective novel would look like. Here were two men who had made their name with the wildly popular Fargo (1996) and neo-Western No Country for Old Men (2007). Would True Grit be similarly soaked in style, thrills, and black comedy, or would it rest more comfortably in its classic Western origins?
Predictably for the Coen brothers, the answer wasn’t straightforward, with their resulting film a fascinating work that feels both deeply authentic and relatively radical.
Their Oscar-winning crime thriller of 2007 was adapted from the fierce novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy; in contrast, True Grit is an emotional, often meditative book. In both films, the Coen brothers utilise the two authors’ incredible writing skills to great effect. There is the unforgettable Tommy Lee Jones end monologue in No Country for Old Men, and in True Grit, there is most memorably the simple but highly poignant words of main character Mattie Ross that bookend the story.
As Mattie (brought to life by a magnificent Hailee Steinfeld, Sinners) explains at the start of True Grit, her father has been murdered by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin, Dune). Tasked with collecting her father’s body from Fort Smith, Arkansas, she learns that Chaney has fled into the wilderness with “Lucky” Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper, Saving Private Ryan) and his gang. From here, she hires deputy U.S. marshal Rooster Cogburn (an equally magnificent Jeff Bridges, The Last Picture Show) to hunt Chaney down. Joining them for other reasons is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting). The unlikely trio set out on a journey that throws up more surprises and intrigue than you might initially expect.
From her very first scene, Steinfeld is a revelation. Only 13 at the time she was cast, she earned numerous award nominations for her role, most notably at the Oscars. Steinfeld captures Mattie’s “true grit”, a vital part of her character that belies not just her young age, but also challenges the preconceptions surrounding her as a female in a male-dominated world. An terse early exchange with a businessman, in which Mattie runs rings around the hapless man like a skilled wordsmith, is a particular delight, and a strong showcase for Steinfeld’s incredible acting ability.
By centering Mattie as the main focus of the film, as Portis’ novel does but the John Wayne-led 1969 adaptation does not, the Coen brothers give a female character a strong amount of agency and independence in a genre that has, traditionally, not done so. Mattie’s various monologues also seem at odds with previous Westerns, but at the same time, the Coen brothers imbue True Grit with unmistakable classicisms. Roger Deakins’ (Fargo, 1917) glorious cinematography wouldn’t look out of place in any VistaVision production, the set and costume design is as authentic as one could wish for, and Carter Burwell’s (Carol) shiveringly beautiful score is, unsurprisingly, based on an 1887 hymn.
But above all else, what makes True Grit so unforgettable is the Coen brothers’ expert and respectful treatment of Portis’ novel. Both book and film capture that moment in one’s life when you make the step from childhood into adulthood, told with a warm simplicity amidst some thrilling and dangerous moments. There is a serene beauty to Portis’ book, a melancholic reflection summarised by one of Mattie’s final lines: “Time just gets away from us.” Amidst all of their visual splendour and stylistic trademarks, the Coen brothers capture these quieter tones of Portis’ novel perfectly.
True Grit: Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
Young teenager Mattie Ross embarks on a dangerous and eventful search for her father’s murderer, outlaw Tom Chaney. Along the way, she forms a deep, everlasting bond with companions Rooster Cogburn and LaBoeuf.
Pros:
- Hailee Steinfeld gives one of the great child performances
- Carter Burwell’s original score is melodic, beautiful, and melancholy
- The deep bond between Mattie and Rooster is expertly realised by the Coens
Cons:
- None
True Grit is now available to watch on digital and on demand.
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