True Grit (2010) PG-13

Hey folks, I'm back in business! I know I saw this film way back on Christmas day, but better late than never. While this film isn't Oscar worthy (in my opinion), it still has some wonderful performances and some great scenes. It's directed by Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men, Fargo), who are two of my favorites. They do a great job, as always, setting things up for a fantastic finish. Even if we didn't quite get that in True Grit, the final showdown will keep you on the edge of your seat. The lead is played by young Hailee Steinfeld. She has never been in a feature film before, which is simply shocking. She plays Mattie Ross, whose father was murdered on his front doorstep by a common thief named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Mattie immediately wants retribution and justice. So, she attempts to hire someone to track Chaney down. Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, The Big Lebowski) plays Rooster Cogburn, a once infamous character played by John Wayne. He's a bounty hunter of sorts. His first scene, which takes place in a court room, is by far his best.

She informs Cogburn of the situation and he tells young Mattie to take a hike because he has real business to attend to. She says persistent and eventually persuades him to take the case. Meanwhile, a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) catches wind of their arrangement and wants in. He's been hunting Chaney for months for the death of a Congressman in southern Texas. LaBoeuf and Cogburn bump heads from the beginning.

From the get go we see that Cogburn is a bit of a drinker and isn't afraid to pop a cork or two. He often climbs into the bottle when things aren't going his way, but he doesn't let it interfere with his work. Cogburn and LaBoeuf leave town without Mattie, but she eventually catches up to them before they get too far down the dusty trail. The three of them don't know what they're about to get themselves into.

It isn't long before LaBoeuf gives up on the search for Chaney and heads back to town. Or so he says. So, Mattie and Cogburn move on without him. They come upon a cabin and infiltrate using their wits and wound the two men and interrogate them. It's one of the best scenes of the year. After they get what they want from them, they hide in the cliffs, knowing someone will be coming along soon. LaBoeuf, who's been following Mattie and Cogburn, shows up on the scene at the wrong time as a gang of armed men surround him. A shootout ensues and lives are taken. Luckily they survive, but LaBoeuf has been shot and bit his tongue in half. After the gun-fight, the three are once again back together.

By blind luck they run into Chaney and his gang, led by Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper). But they weren't prepared and Chaney captures Mattie. So, Cogburn and LaBoeuf must find a way to get her back before it's too late.

The cinematography is splendid, which was expected. It's easily Oscar worthy. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld is simply terrific. She deserves an Oscar nod as well. There seems to be a great new bunch of young actresses flocking onto the scene these days. Bridges has been better, obviously, but is effective as Rooster. He mumbles quite a bit, so it's hard to understand him at times. Matt Damon seems out of place and was miscast in my opinion. I love Damon, but he didn't mesh well with the others. One of the few pleasant surprises was Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan, 25th Hour). He's sensational and one of the best things about this film.

While this isn't the Coen brothers best work (not by a long shot), it's still very watchable and can be enjoyed by almost any age group. There's some good dark humor throughout (mostly by Steinfeld) and a good amount of blood splattered on the walls (not enough, if you ask me). Brolin's (Milk, W.) character is a small one, so he shouldn't be your reason for watching this. I'm not a big fan of "westerns" but this one is as good as I've seen. If you liked this, then you would probably like The Proposition, starring Guy Pearce. That film is more of a moody, dark and bloody western. Where this one is more character driven with more humor and less blood.

While I think everyone should see this film, I don't think it's important to see it in theaters. If you have a chance, go see The Fighter or the highly anticipated Black Swan.
B