The Movie Doctor: Movie Review: "True Grit"

Movie Review: “True Grit”

The Coen brothers are amazing filmmakers so when I heard they were reuniting with Jeff Bridges to do their own version of the 1969 John Wayne western True Grit I was of course extremely excited. Then the teaser came out and I was completely blown away. I could not wait to see it in theaters and today I finally did and it was incredible.

True Grit is about this extremely intelligent, mature 14-year old girl ,Mattie Ross, who after the recent murder of her father decides to higher a bounty hunter to find and avenge his brutal death. What she encounters in her search for a hunter is Marshall Roster Cogburn a drunken, old, Marshall who is known for his ruthless tactics of killing his enemies without mercy or reason. The film follows there journey into finding and killing Ross’ murderer Tom Chaney.

This movie is definitely not only one of the best films of the year but also has become one of my favorite film the Coen brothers have ever done. Being written by the Coen brothers of course the dialogue is nothing short of wonderful. Their unique, witty humor comes out in some of the best moments of the film and there camera work of course is amazing. They are not only able to capture what makes a great Western film but they improve the genre via their great skills and experience as filmmakers.

Roger Deakens ,who has been the cinematographer for all of the Coen Brother’s movies, returns and once again shows his skills in True Grit. There are so many beautiful scenic shots in the film. He really takes advantage of the Western theme and landscape. There is a sequence in particular that every shot is just so beautiful but terrifying at the same time. It really shows Deakens genius.

The cast is amazing leading the film is a new actress Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross. I was really impressed and thought she portrayed Mattie’s character greatly making her a smart, likable, strong main character. Jeff Bridges is awesome as the bodacious Marshall Rooster Cogburn. Then to add to this already fantastic cast is Josh Brolin, Matt Damon, and a suprising cameo by Barry Pepper.

It is just an amazing film. There are so many specific moments I want to talk about but I do not want to spoil it for anyone. As always the Coen brothers are able to craft an experience that is just fun to go through. In short it is one of the best films of the year and it is not to be missed.