True Grit Review

• 7th Feb 2011

The Coen Brothers haven’t written an original screenplay for a while now, but still whether it is Burn After Reading, No Country For Old Men or this latest update of True Grit – the films are unmistakably Coen Brothers films and yet this is perhaps one of the least Coen-esque, but for that I think it is one of their best.

Two things spring to mind when finding familiarity: first of all is the beautiful cinematography of Roger Deakins; and secondly is the dialogue which the Coens pepper their characters with. But these aside, True Grit could well be their straightest and least odd of all the films they have done to date.

The story is fairly simple. A young 14 year old girl seeks the aid of a law man to help bring to justice the man who killed her father and she is going to get this accomplished with or without the help of the right men.

The Coens have a handful of returnees (Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin) as well as some new actors to their fold (Matt Damon, Barry Pepper) but it is newcomer Hailee Steinfeld that leaves the greatest impression. All of 14 years old (perhaps even 13 when making the film) she manages her part naturally like she has been acting for years. There may be much award buzz around for Natalie Portman at the moment but Portman is very good at playing similar roles (damaged girls mainly) and it is when you revisit her previous performances that you see how little she has grown as an actress and how see through the facade can be in a cynical eye. Now watch Steinfeld and it is hard not to be completely blown away by a young actress who clearly has a gleaming future in film ahead of her should she choose it. How then the Academy seems to have her down as a supporting actress nominee is just plain weird and nonsensical? But we should be happy at least she got nominated and if the Portman buzz is to be believed then at least Steinfield has a better chance of getting a fair win (even if it is in a category she does not belong in).

The main man himself, The Dude, stepping into The Duke’s shoes puts in yet another effortless role as the drunkard enforcer hired to find the girl’s killer. The rest of the cast are all just as enjoyable in their roles. It is pointless to say how beautiful the film looks, or that there are some quirky scenes that happen along the way.

Rest assured it looks great, sounds great and has a score that echoes Leaning On The Everlasting Arms not made prominent since The Night Of The Hunter. True Grit is a real treat and a very early contender for best film on release in 2011 in the UK.

Steven Hurst