True Grit

Based on the novel by Charles Portis, True Grit follows 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) as she hires a grizzled U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges’ Rooster Cogburn) to bring her father’s killer (Josh Brolin’s Tom Chaney) to justice. Directors Joel and Ethan Coen have infused True Grit with precisely the sort of authentic, firmly idiosyncratic feel with which they’ve come to be associated; as such, the movie, which kicks off with a hypnotically methodical opening shot, generally comes off as a traditional Western that’s been augmented with a number of irresistibly off-kilter elements. It’s clear right from the outset, however, that True Grit‘s most valuable asset are its performers, as the Coens have ensured that even the smallest of roles have been memorably filled – though it’s just as obvious that the movie belongs to Bridges and Steinfeld. The latter delivers a surprisingly accomplished performance that’s never diminished by her commanding costars, while the former’s almost impossibly grizzled work stands as an ongoing highlight within the proceedings. (This is despite the fact that a good chunk of Bridges’ dialogue is rendered unintelligible by the actor’s exceedingly gruff delivery.) There’s consequently little doubt that the deliberately paced, episodic nature of True Grit‘s midsection isn’t quite as problematic as one might’ve feared, although it’s worth noting that the film’s erratic atmosphere does prevent the viewer from wholeheartedly embracing the narrative on an all-too-consistent basis. The inclusion of an undeniably exciting finale ensures that the movie concludes on a thoroughly positive note, which cements True Grit‘s place as one of the more memorable Westerns to hit cinemas as of late.

*** out of ****