Thought Modern Western Was Dead? This 95%-Rated Gem Proves It's Alive & Well
This movie shows that Westerns can still resonate with us today when they are made with intelligence, talent, and respect for both tradition and the audience.
By the early 2010s, the classic Western appeared to be a bygone genre, associated with actors like John Wayne and directors like Sergio Leone.
However, in 2010, the Coen brothers released True Grit, which reimagined the genre for a new generation. The movie proved that, when crafted by true masters, the Western can be simultaneously authentic, modern, and incredibly engaging.
What Is 'True Grit' About?
The story unfolds in the Wild West at the end of the 19th century. 14-year-old Mattie Ross is determined to avenge her father's murder at the hands of the vile bandit Tom Chaney.
In order to find the criminal in this harsh land, she hires the most ruthless and perpetually drunk marshal, Rooster Cogburn. The vain Texas Ranger LaBoeuf is also hunting Chaney for another crime.
'True Grit' Is the Modern Western We Truly Deserve
While the original 1969 movie starring John Wayne was a classic Hollywood Western that focused on the heroic marshal, the Coen brothers' version takes a different approach.
They shift the focus to the young Mattie, telling a story not about romanticized cowboys but about a fragile yet resilient girl who must survive in a world of cruel and absurd grown men.
At the same time, the Coen brothers preserved the spirit of adventure of the original, masterfully weaving their signature dark humor and attention to detail into the narrative.
Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld Created One of the Most Memorable Duos in Western History
The heart of True Grit isn't the large-scale shootouts, but rather the brilliant, polished dialogue and the powerful performances of the lead actors.
Jeff Bridges erases Wayne's image from memory, creating his own Cogburn: rough, cynical, unshaven, perpetually drunk, and yet possessing a strange, life-worn nobility.
Hailee Steinfeld has a breakthrough performance as Mattie, a girl with an unbending will and old-fashioned speech whose stubbornness and courage surpass those of all the grown men around her.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'True Grit'?
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True Grit has 95% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.6/10.
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On Letterboxd, True Grit scored 3.8/5.0.
Where to Watch 'True Grit'?
True Grit is available to stream on Netflix.
