True Grit - 4 smiles

“True Grit,” one of the best films of 2010, is not exactly a remake because the Coen Brothers’ interpretation of Charles Portis’ novel is superior to the 1969 production that won John Wayne a Best Actor Oscar. Joel and Ethan Coen have created a classic film with their blend of quirky humor and tangible suspense while remaining faithful to the novel. The richness of Portis’ language runs throughout the film and is ably managed by the capable cast. Jeff Bridges gives a strong performance as Marshal Rooster Cogburn as does Matt Damon as Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (pronounced le beef), more buffoon than deadly lawman. But the reason you need to see this movie is 13-year-old Hailee Steinfeld. Her Mattie Ross is passionate and brave and she excels at Portis’ idiosyncratic dialogue. You’ll enjoy watching her outmaneuver a horse trader and hold her own with the fat, one-eyed drunken marshal.

The Coens focus their film where Portis put it – on Mattie Ross, the dynamic teen from Arkansas who hires Rooster to bring in Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the varmint who murdered her father. Their chase takes them into Indian Territory where Chaney has joined up with a gang led by Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper). Their time together allows Mattie to see beneath the whiskey and realize that Cogburn can be heroic when circumstances warrant and Cogburn grows to admire Mattie’s courage and ability not to flinch when things get rough. Nonetheless, “True Grit” isn’t without some of The Coen’s signature quirky touches: the unexpected sight of a bear riding horseback or the cornbread shooting contest between Cogburn and LaBeouf. See “True Grit” for its action and laughs and an amazing Hailee Steinfeld. 12/24/10