Shot or killed? A question that can only find proper context in a great western like "True Grit"

Well made Western films are hard to come by these days. With the success of high action, high special effects films, the Western genre has not only lost fan base but interest from the studios. It takes big names at every level of production to grasp everyone's attention for a western film. “True Grit” has accomplished that. With brothers Joel & Ethan Coen directing and Jeff Bridges leading a stellar cast, “True Grit” reminds us how good a western film can be.

“True Grit” is an excellent remake of the 1969 John Wayne classic by the same name. “True Grit” is the story of fourteen-year old Mattie Ross, played excellently by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, whose father was murdered in cold blood by the outlaw Tom Chaney. Young Mattie Ross aims to hire aging U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, played flawlessly by Jeff Bridges. I imagine it's a fearful task for anyone to fill the shoes of a legend such as John Wayne, but Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn in a way that makes the character his own. One of the traits I look for in great acting is the ability of the actor to make the viewer forget the actor and any other roles he may have played and see only the current character on the screen. Jeff Bridges accomplishes this throughout “True Grit.” Rooster and Mattie are accompanied by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, played by the generally likable Matt Damon but I found him out of place and bland in his scenes. Josh Brolin playing murderous Tom Chaney also has played better roles. From there the story centers on Mattie's obsession with revenge against her father's murderer regardless of the cost to herself and companions.

The most surprising part of “True Grit” was the acting of Hailee Steinfeld. The character of Mattie Ross is a very stubborn and hard headed one but watching Ms. Steinfeld on screen the viewer senses she wants us to remember her every frame. She seems to take over a scene and push her co-stars, at times even Jeff Bridges, around much like young Mattie gets her way in the movie. Her recent Oscar nomination for her supporting role in “True Grit” is much well deserved as she is one of the best young talents in a long time. Her acting is reminiscent of Natalie Portman in “The Professional.” For his work, Jeff Bridges also earned a leading actor Oscar nomination as well as kudos to the Coen brothers for their best director Oscar nominations. All in all, “True Grit” takes us on an emotional ride and delivers excellent performances and storytelling and well worth an evening at the movies. I give “True Grit” a 4.1 out of 5 star rating.