True Grit
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin.
CERT: 15 RT: 110 mins
4/5
Jeff Bridges and the Coen brothers clearly bring out the best in each other.
Having given us the iconic The Big Lebowski, the trio combine to deliver another classic film crammed with visual virtuosity, crackling dialogue and flawless performances.
Based on the Charles Portis book – famously made into a John Wayne film in 1969 – True Grit tells the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) who hires hard-drinking US Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) to track down the man who killed her father.
Joining them on their hunt for miscreant Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) is arrogant Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who also wants to bring him to justice.
With its exceptional cinematography and captivating characters, True Grit casts a spell from the start.
The Oscar-nominated script allows the cast to engage in some great verbal sparring and Bridges and Damon have a ball putting each other down.
Impressively, Steinfeld more than holds her own in some heavyweight company, putting in a moving and funny performance.
The teen’s stirring turn is one of the many reasons why True Grit is truly unmissable.
Good for: Coen Bruv aficionados.
Pierre de villiers
