Saddle up

Director: Ethan and Joel Coen,
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld

True Grit is the Coen brothers’ take on the classic 1969 western that won John Wayne his one and only Oscar.

Based on Charles Portis’ novel, the story follows 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) as she seeks revenge on Tom Chaney (Brolin) – the man who killed her father. She hires Rooster Cogburn (Bridges), an aging US marshal, because she has heard he has ‘true grit’. Unfortunately, he also has a bad attitude, a drinking problem and a lot of extra weight around the middle, but Mattie is convinced Rooster’s the man to help her, and after initially rebuffing her, he succumbs to her insistence – and her money – and takes the job.

The film is beautifully written, as you’d expect from the Coen’s, and the casting is pretty much perfect. Jeff Bridges is excellent as the irascible Cogburn and Matt Damon is back on form as the blowhard Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, but it’s Hailee Steinfeld who really steals the show as the teenage would-be avenger Mattie Ross.

Add in the glorious cinematography combined with a haunting soundtrack and True Grit really delivers with both barrels – surely set to be an instant classic.

Genre: Adventure | Drama | Western
Age Restriction: PG - 13
Runtime: 110 min