True GritCarrying out one's typical textbook western theme and offers it a familiar tale to feed on the audience for almost around 110 minutes, is no ordinary job. Fortunately, the responsible team in here, is trustworthy and doesn't fail to deliver too. The Coen Brothers; as usual is no short on execution and this time has got appropriate editing on their side. The real game changer of the feature is their smart adaptation of Charles Portis' novel that is not only gripping but sensibly thought-provoking. The background score and the costume design is apt for the tone of the feature. The performance is strong and something that factors a lot in its favour, reason being a great star cast on its side. And addition to that, the performance given by them is appreciative too, especially by the protagonist Jeff Bridges who is supported well enough by Hailee Steinfield, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin (no matter how much runtime he gets in here). The writing is more practical than usual western feature does, as there is too much practicality involved in it that sends out this eerie vulnerable feeling in the audience for the characters. True Grit breeds essential sentiments in its self-created grittiness, but still somehow fails to draw out the anticipated emotion from the screen and the reason would be its perspective.

It' such a great movie. I think that the actress that played Mattie is amazing especially when she was only 14. I should congratulate Hailee Steinfeld of making Mattie such a great and enjoyable character But i know that i'm 12 doen't mean i don't understand what's happening. I also know how to feel for the characters. I think that i like the 2010 version than the 1969, but that's my opinion. I know it's a re-make and people don't normally like re-makes, because they're classics. But i'm born in the 21st century which means i like more newer movies than older. That's all i need said also i know that i have wasted my time typing this BUT WHATEVER!!! IT'S NOT LIKE I CARE. ~kaikaiwolf322

(Originally reviewed: 05/04/2017) Westerns haven't been particularly special for a long time, not since Eastwood's 1992 masterpiece 'Unforgiven', and the Coen's brothers 'True grit' remake is plain and simple a well-executed western that lacks the originality and genius of some of their previous work. The performances here however a very impressive, the cast are extremely solid; Hailee Steinfeld play's Mattie Ross, the daughter of the murdered man, and she is unlike most newcomer's, she's actually interesting and very accomplished in her acting ability, good job from her, Bridges play's gritty U.S Marshal Rooster Cogburn, the man willing to help Mattie track down the man responsible for her father death, and yet again strong work from him, Matt Damon play's LaBoeuf, a Texas ranger also pursuing the same man, who is also responsible for killing a senator as well, and Damon gives a very good performance. Also featuring are Josh Brolin as infamous outlaw and murderer (Tom Chaney), who is solid, Barry Pepper as Lucky Ned Pepper, the leader of an outlaw gang, and a more dangerous man than Chaney, Pepper is also brilliant here, a small actor who deserves a lot more credit. The cinematography is impressive, and the direction from the Coen's is as terrific as usual, so one might wonder why I did not think this was a great film, and I have some fairly solid reasons. The picture lacks originality, and travels into familiar western territory far too often for which the screenplay must be pointed out, filled with clichés and predictable shootouts, and also doesn't explain more about the gang that Chaney is running with, and nor does the ending feel appropriate, instead of end the film in current day and age of the set western, the Coen's decide to show what happens to the character's after the outcome of their hunt, and it feels like a tacked on ending, disconnected from the rest of the film, including an older more disrespectful Mattie who walks around, merely moody and rude, like for example, upon learning of Rooster's death, her response isn't so pleasant, it was along the lines of doesn't matter whilst walking off till a shot of his tombstone appears with her standing beside it, I found this unnecessary and I would have preferred the film ending five or 10 minutes prior to that.There's also one scene earlier on where Damon's character is staring at Mattie while she sleeps, and says to her before she insults him, he was considering kissing her, now not only would that have been wrong, but it also felt very creepy, as well as a rare scene with bad dialogue from the Coens, not something I expected from them, the truth is this is nowhere near there masterpieces No Country For Old Men and Fargo, therefore it is somewhat of a disappointment that there 'True Grit' is only good, not great, which reminds me to mention the dialogue is average here and fairly forgettable. However the pace is adequate, the picture is well shot, there's a couple of scenes that are rather impressive and the score suits the tone rather well, I'm aware the Coens can set the right atmosphere and make a simple enough revenge story watchable at the least, but considering it's from the brilliant filmmakers of 'No Country For Old Men', I expect much more. The True Grit remake doesn't cover any new ground, nor is it anything special but it's a competently executed western with some fairly entertaining moments and a more than able cast, that deliver really good performances to elevate simplistic material.

When the Coen brothers first announced their remake of John Wayne's 1960s film "True Grit", I'll be honest...I thought it was a terrible idea. I vowed never to see it and treated it as a joke.But then, a funny thing happened...it turned into a serious project. Actors like Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon were cast to give the film some gravitas, and all of a sudden the advance previews looked gritty and realistic. So, with a few other Duke fans in tow, I broke my vow and headed to the theater. Boy, was I ever glad I did, as otherwise I might have missed the greatest western film ever made.For a basic plot summary, "True Grit" tells the story of young Maddie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), who hires Deputy Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to avenge the death of her father at the hands of the coward Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Along the way, with the help of Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), Maddie and Rooster track Chaney via the notorious Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper) gang.What elevates this movie from the original is the closer following of the source material: Charles Portis' novel. It isn't perfect, but the Coens portray a much darker, grittier time and circumstances. Whereas the 60s version was all about the Duke, this one focuses on the rightful charge: the young, plucky Ross."True Grit" also does all the "little things" (which so often end up as so much more) perfectly. The acting is flawless, the direction is solid, and even the music adds some emotional depth to the entire production. Every scene is riveting, and will have you on the edge of your seat. Heck, even the comedic and light-hearted moments do their job and add some needed levity.Thus, I consider 2010's "True Grit" to be the all-around greatest western I've ever seen. There isn't a single scene that is a letdown, and all the other filmmaking factors converged to produce a masterpiece. This one would get my vote for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.