True Grit: A Straight Forward Enjoyable Western

With so many of the better films being released later and later in the year because of Oscar hopes, it has become a frustrating waiting game to see when I can finally view these supposed great movies and also caused an unfortunate delay in my Top 10 films of the 2010 list.  Over the holiday season, I did get the chance to watch True Grit, which is a re-make of the 1969 Western that brought John Wayne his only Academy Award.

True Grit (2010):  Starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit is the new Western film from the famed Coen Brothers.  When local law enforcement shows little interest in tracking down Tom Chaney (Brolin), Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) hires the talented yet ornery Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) to track down her father’s killer.  Some unexpected help is also given by Texas Ranger la Boeuf (Damon), who is also attempting to capture Chaney for another murder he committed in Texas.  Traveling through the Choctaw terrain, the three try to find Chaney before his trail runs cold and he escapes the hand of the law.

While nothing in this film really stands out to warrant calling it a new Western classic, True Grit is still a solid effort with noteworthy individual performances and striking cinematography.  Jeff Bridges is at the top of his game, adding an unexpected subtle humor to his rugged portrayal of Rooster Cogburn.  However, it’s Hailee Steinfeld that stands out the most in this film.  This extremely talented 14-year-old gives a surprisingly mature and versed performance, especially considering this is her first role in a major feature film.  With the Oscar nominations being announced on January 25^th, I believe Steinfeld deserves a nomination for her compelling performance.  Overall, the Coens have created a skillfully entertaining Western.  True Grit is one of the better films of 2010 and definitely worth viewing. (*** Stars)