True Grit

2010 Western

Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) joins an aging U.S. marshal (Jeff Bridges) and another lawman (Matt Damon) in tracking her father's killer into hostile Indian territory in Joel and Ethan Coen's adaptation of Charles Portis' original novel. Sticking more closely to the source material than the 1969 feature adaptation starring Western icon John Wayne, the Coens' True Grit tells the story from the young girl's perspective, and re-teams the celebrated filmmaking duo with their No Country for Old Men producing partner Scott Rudin. Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper co-star.

Director: Joel Coen

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Hailee Steinfeld

 31 Reviews  42 Awards

Reviews

  • When Iris DeMent's impeccable version of the hymn is heard on the soundtrack as the final credits roll, it's the perfect touch to end a film whose aim is always true.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    11 May 2013

  • What makes True Grit a new classic for the Coens is the way the brothers absorb the unfairly unsung Portis into their DNA, like they did with Cormac McCarthy in "No Country for Old Men." True Grit is packed with action and laughs, plus a touching coda with an older Mattie, but it's the dialogue that really sings. Great filmmaking. Great acting. Great movie. Saddle up.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    11 May 2013

  • The original "True Grit" might have been eclipsed by John Wayne's larger-than-life persona, but the Coen brothers' remake is an ensemble piece that feels freshly their own.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    11 May 2013

  • This is a film by the Coen Brothers, and this is the first straight genre exercise in their career. It's a loving one. Their craftsmanship is a wonder. Their casting is always inspired and exact. The cinematography by Roger Deakins reminds us of the glory that was, and can still be, the Western.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    11 May 2013

  • Mattie is a no-nonsense mite with a forthright manner and a mean head for figures; she wears her hair in two sturdy braids whose tips have never seen the inside of any inkwell, believe you me.

    Stephanie Zacharek - Movieline

    11 May 2013

Awards

  • Movie of the Year

    AFI Awards (2011)

  • Best Achievement in Art Direction

    Academy Awards (2011)

     

  • Best Action/Adventure Film

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2011)

     

  • Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases

    American Society of Cinematographers (2011)

     

  • Period Film

    Art Directors Guild (2011)

     

Lists

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