Review of True Grit (2010) by Callum H — 19 Dec 2014

"People do not give it credence that a young girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father's blood. But it did happen.".

True Grit is a flawed yet highly entertaining piece of cinema, written and directed by the impressive hands of Ethan and Joel Coen. It's a Western with a straight-forwardness which will confuse many; it doesn't seek to provide much commentary or cyncism. It wishes to tell its story with its heartfelt poignancy and character-centric pacing. Whilst uneven in the way that it drifts between sequences, it is undeniably affecting and well-paced, and is perhaps one of the strongest Coen brothers films in terms of sheer acting prowess. This is a film which is certainly worthy of acclaim, but one must be prepared to accept it's multitude of issues.

True Grit centres around Maddie; a young 14 year old girl, played by Hailee Steinfeld, whose father has recently been killed by a man known as Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Utilizing the help of a drunkard U.S Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and a Texan Ranger (Matt Damon) named LaBoeuf, Maddie treks across the Wild West, seeking revenge against the man who murdered her father.

A simple but heartfelt story is what makes True Grit ultimately so undeniably satisfying but overtly saddening and potent. It's a brilliantly acted, well shot picture, that captures the heart and soul of the Wild West, and completely immerses the viewer in the landscape and rugged terrain. The fantastic performances from Bridges and Steinfeld primarily are what allow the audience member to become engrossed in their plights, both of them aptly fitting into their roles. The writing, also from the Coen brothers, isn't particularly impressive, but does get possibly the most important factor of the film pitch-perfect, and that is the relationship between the quick-witted and highly intelligent Maddie, and the loathsome, tough and rough Cogburn, who quickly form a bond between them that is instantaneously relatable and likable. This emotional connection they form resonates most towards the conclusion, when certain events render their friendship vital to each others survival; the Coen brothers layer on the sentiment and get the viewer suitably transfixed by these characters, before delivering multiple emotional gut-punches towards the closing moments of the picture.

The usual comedy from the Coen brothers is not lost, the film engaging in numerous hilarious situations which garner praise from myself. Unfortunately, the film does sport numerous faults in terms of its pacing, and also possesses an irritating and lacking score from Carter Burwell which contains little more than a primary theme that is repeated constantly for the duration of the picture (a primary theme which doesn't seem to suit many of the scenes in which it is implemented within). The film seems to jump from one sequence to the next, and lacks substance in-between. Whilst you do become connected with the two protagonists, the film is too intent on letting the main events play out, and it doesn't feel as if there is any down time in between.

Nevertheless, True Grit is a competent film; it doesn't do much, or leave a huge impression on the viewer. It has numerous faults, and lacks strength in its plot and pacing; but what it lacks in these areas it makes up for in character and sheer dialogue alone. The action scenes are often slightly anti-climatic but nevertheless thrilling; the locations are stunning; the cinematography fantastic. It's a strong, adequate film that will undoubtedly keep many a viewer entertained.

"That didn't pan out.".