Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) are both nominated for an Oscar. Photo from official website: http://www.truegritmovie.com/#/main/home

Written by

Jude Bautista

Knowing that she’d follow, Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) had the boatman expect Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) and ordered him to take her to the sheriff. Cogburn had crossed the river with Le Beouf (Matt Damon) by the time she arrived at the river bank. The boatman who ferried Cogburn had already grabbed her horse’s reins and was leading her back to town. In a flash of inspiration she throws an apple at the boatman’s head. The split second he let go of the reins she bolted her horse into a full gallop. She screamed at Cogburn across the river and plunged the horse into the raging waters in pursuit of him. Horse and rider were neck deep in water while fighting the currents.

Courage and a thirst for justice, that’s something the whole world needs and can relate to whether it’s the old west or our time. Unbelievably the one who has displayed the TRUEST grit in this film may not have been any of the tough talking, spitting, cursing and shooting cowboys. Mattie Ross a 14 year old ‘little girl’, proved herself to have steely determination that earned her both love and respect. There’s almost an obsession with her to bring her father’s murderer to justice. She insisted on going with Cogburn in pursuit of Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin).

There’s no air of invincibility or even heroism in Jeff Bridges’ Cogburn. Click on pic for link to official website

The novel “True Grit” by Charles Portis had already been made into a film with no less than Hollywood legend John Wayne. It became a classic and proved that Wayne was a bankable star even at the later stages of his career. The major difference with this version is the vulnerability and realism in the characters. There are no dozens of enemies falling like flies. There’s no air of invincibility or even heroism in Jeff Bridges’ Cogburn. Most of the scenes had him looking like a washed up U.S. Marshall more concerned with whiskey than performing his duties. They’re more like, real people. That’s what makes this version directed and adapted for the screen by the Coen brothers better.

Mattie also stormed Cogburn, “Do you think I’ll pay you and just see you off? I will see the deed done. Everything I’ve heard about you is braggadocio. I’m not payin you for talk!”

Writer / Directors Joel and Ethan Coen have a knack for capturing the spirit of an era. They are known for lyricism in the dialogue, this project is no exception. Le Beouf sat quietly in the room until Mattie woke up. After unsuccessfully trying to convince her to go home he said, “You give out very little sugar with your pronouncements. While I sat there watchin’ I gave some thought to stealin’ a kiss… though you are very young, and sick… and unattractive to boot. But now I have a mind to give you five or six good licks with my belt.” Mattie replies without batting an eyelash, “One would be just as unpleasant as the other.” Mattie also stormed Cogburn, “Do you think I’ll pay you and just see you off? I will see the deed done. Everything I’ve heard about you is braggadocio. I’m not payin you for talk!”

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) and Le Beouf (Matt Damon)

People aren’t absolutely good or bad. What they do to overcome adversity is what distinguishes them. In that sense Mattie Ross, played exceptionally by Hailee Steinfeld is the real hero. She had to overcome the sneers and judgment not just for her gender but age. Mattie did not want Chaney killed she wanted him to go through a trial for her father’s murder. It was not vigilantism. She had a very clear concept of due process at her age.

One of the executive producers is the great Steven Spielberg. The film is nominated for nearly every category (ten) at the Oscar’s: Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume, Directing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Best Picture, Screenplay, Actor and Actress. For a film like this however, the awards are truly secondary, it’s about getting it right. They’ve done better by exceeding that, everyone involved can truly be proud of themselves for making a film for the ages.