February 4, 2011

Road to the Oscars - True Grit


Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writers: Joel Coen (screenplay), Ethan Coen (screenplay), Charles Portis (novel)
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin
Music: Carter Burwell
Production: USA, 2010
Release Date: 22 December 2010
Runtime: 110 Minutes
IMDB Link: True Grit
Plot

After the assassination of her father, Mattie Ross, a 14-year-old farm girl, began a journey to find the assassin, Tom Chancey. She decides to hire Reuben Cogburn, a tough US marshal who uses violent and questionable methods to get the job done. Mattie thinks he got the “true grit” and tries to approach him but Cogburn doesn’t care for her personal revenge. Later Mattie is contacted by La Boeuf, a Texas Ranger, who was after Chaney because he had killed someone in Texas. La Boeuf insists that she must return home. After a few backwards and forwards Cogburn agrees to find Chancey. Soon La Boeuf joins the party and together they will start a very dangerous adventure going after Chaney into the Indian Nations.




Review (Warning it may contain spoilers)

I have never been a fan of Western movies… the only movie I remember is “Death rides a horse” (1967) with Lee Van Cleef. Therefore, I wasn’t thrilled to see this one. However, to my surprise, it was very entertaining, the actors are great, the portrait of Cogburn done by Jeff Bridge is unforgettable, and the acting of Matt Damon really surprised me. Hailee Steinfeld (Matie Ross) who is only fourteen years old add some great acting to the mix, I don’t think she will won the Oscar for Actress in Supporting Role because there are some pretty good contesters. The film is based on the novel “True Grit” written by Charles Portis in 1968. There has been another adaptation of the novel, in 1968, where John Wayne portrayed Marshall Cogburn.

Being a Western movie, I was expecting more gun scenes and long horse races but my stereotype was broken upon seen this film. The movie has also some funny moments and interesting plot twist that made this movie very enjoyable. The level of intensity is maintained throughout the film.

By Sebastián Nadilo

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