True Grit

The closest thing to "True Grit" the Coen Brothers have previously made would be "No Country for Old Men," the picture I see as the duo's finest work. 2007's big Oscar-winner, "No Country" captured the true heart and spirit of the Western template, despite being set in a contemporary West Texas. "True Grit" is their stab at the classic, more recognisable form of a standard Western, with a tale of Stetson hats, vengeance, rifle-firing and whisky-swigging.

It's based on the Charles Portis novel of 1968, as well as the 1969 big-screen adaptation starring the legendary John Wayne, for which The Duke received his one and only Academy Award. Set in the late 19th Century, it takes place in Arkansas and the Indian Nation Territory that would soon become Oklahoma, the landscapes of which are photographed in beautiful fashion.

We open on the image of a dead man lying on the street as the snow descends from the calm night-sky. This is the father of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (newcomer Hailee Steinfeld), and he has been murdered by his intoxicated hired hand Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin, "Jonah Hex") over money troubles. Mattie wants revenge. And Mattie will get revenge.

She inquires about U.S. Marshals to hire for tracking down the fleeing Chaney, and is told of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges, "The Big Lebowski"), a booze-hound currently being questioned for the unjustified shooting of crooks. He pushes away her offer at first, but Mattie knows that a little money can go a long way.

Mattie is adamant to go with Cogburn on his manhunt -- he doesn't want her with him. Guess who wins this argument? Joining them on their trail is Laboeuf (Matt Damon, "Good Will Hunting"), a smug Texas ranger who is also after Chaney for the assassination of a Texas senator. The three journey across the land, encountering death and danger on almost every step as they hunt down the murderous bandit.

"True Grit" marks another success from the more-talented-than-talented Coen siblings -- Joel and Ethan don't disappoint in the slightest. They direct this costume piece with supreme confidence, the feature given an immersive atmosphere straight out of the days of the classic Westerns. The narrative of the book is so strong, it'd be difficult to screw it up.

Steinfeld, 13 years of age during shooting, manifests the stubbornness of a mule. Her stiff-faced character seeks nothing other than vengeance, to watch her father's murderer hang at the neck or die by the barrel of a gun. Mattie has taken on the role of an independent, responsible adult, her mother unseen as the pigtailed teen unflinchingly negotiates with taken-aback townsfolk. The fresh-faced actress stuns as this poker-faced gal who's ripened at an early age, taking treacherous matters into her own young hands.

Bridges mumbles a Southern slur, the kind that's almost incomprehensible in some scenes. His unintelligible drawl only adds to his drunkard character, a man who kills criminals because it's easier than arresting them. The versatile "TRON" actor matches every bit of ignorant, gun-slinging cool John Wayne set back in '69, maybe even surpassing the Western icon. He distances himself from Wayne's seminal performance, making Mr. Cogburn his very own creation. The eye-patch has been passed on more than suitably.

Damon appears to be the more noble of the two men, a Texas ranger who loves his home state, and lawman committed to tracking down the "crafty” outlaw he's been unsuccessfully chasing for over a year. He clashes with Cogburn, their personalities and morals ricocheting off the trees of the wooded setting, leading to much amusement as they bicker away in playful rivalry. Mattie is equally not fooled by his self-important facade, calling him a rodeo clown when they initially converse. Damon's moustache sure is perdy.

Part of the genius of "True Grit" is the combination of the three main characters themselves. Their personas just bash and thump against each other like chipmunks trapped in a jam jar. Surely attributed to the book, the mismatched trio are what give the film its power, each given two contradicting characters to bounce off of.

The Coens write the film with splendid glee, their style a welcome addition to the cowboys-and-horses genre. They shower the film with dollops of their unique brand of dry humour, from amusing banter to over-the-top violence. The movie is truly gritty in tone, though.

Dialogue flows like a river, characters appropriately talking in a formal, ye olde times manner -- people knew what grammar was back then. Coen 1 and Coen 2 make sure to saddle the script with old-fashioned wit, breathing life into each and every character, no matter how small their role. One wishes the sheriffs and horse-riders never shut their mouths.

If there's anything negative I have to say about "True Grit," it's that it grazes its knee on the final hurdle. The last act, in which simpleton Chaney's face is finally shown, is a minor stumble in what was before a tantalising work of art. This concluding act certainly isn't bad (it's the Coens, remember), but particular moments carry a muffled impact.

Nonetheless, "True Grit" is a refreshing piece of engrossing cinema armed with exceptional talent both in front of the camera and behind it. It works wonders with the subject material, handling it with care before setting it free. The script strengthens a compelling story, and the cast is outstanding, especially (and expectedly) Mr. Bridges. It's nice to see him without a CGI face, too.

8/10