True Grit ****1/2 (rave)

Well the Coen brothers have done it again! True Grit is a beautifully shot film with rich and funny characters that take us through a journey of retribution and test of character.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to see this movie. Westerns aren't my favourite genre. And I knew this latest installment from the Coen brothers was completely shut out of the Golden Globes. After watching it however, I was stunned at the Hollywood Foreign Press' huge oversight. I liked the movie Inception, but True Grit clearly should have replaced it as a top 5 contender. Or, out of desperation, they could have easily squeezed it into the comedy category. I can only hope that when the Oscar nominations come out, the Coen brothers and others will get some acknowledgement for this film.

True Grit stars Jeff Bridges as a one-eyed, 'tough guy' U.S Marshall who is hired by a 14 year old girl named Mattie Ross who wants to avenge her father's murder. She knows who the murderer is and she enlists Marshall Rooster Cogburn to help her hunt him done and bring him to justice. A Texas Ranger (played by Matt Damon) is also on the hunt for this particular bad guy and so the three eventually join forces and head out to find the elusive Tom Chaney (played by Josh Brolin). As with any 'journey film', the leads come across a cast of characters along the way. -In true western form, these characters all have bad teeth, craggy skin, poor grammar and are cloaked in animal pelts. As the Marshall, the Ranger and the determined young avenger seek out Tom Chaney, their biggest obstacle is the struggle to get along with each other. Each has their own agenda, and each person is determined to have their own way. Eventually, despite themselves the three manage to work together and face their common enemy as a unified force.

Jeff Bridges is absolutely hilarious in the role of Rooster Cogburn. He's described as a man who "likes to pull the cork" and he has some classic scenes while in an inebriated state. He talks fast, he talks a lot and he mumbles half the time. I'm looking forward to seeing the film again so I can catch the other half of what he was saying while taking a swig and riding his horse.

It was a delight to see Matt Damon in a western. Not since 1993's Geronimo has he been out in the Wild West. And after watching him as the self -toting saviour of the day I hope he dirties himself up and gets back on a horse again real soon. He held his own against Bridges' honed comedic timing and the quick banter between the two characters kept me engaged and laughing.

Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld was simply amazing as the sharp -tongued, headstrong instigator of this journey. She was tough and never gave an inch with her convictions. As she continued to bully and press the two lawmen, I had to keep reminding myself she was only 14 years old.

I have not seen the original 1969 version of this film starring John Wayne, and so I cannot draw any comparisons nor do I have any emotional attachment one way or the other about the story being retold. I can however, explicitly state that I fully enjoyed this version. It was well cast, well acted, well written and (as I can always expect from a Coen brother film) really beautiful to watch.

Although I can't claim True Grit is my favourite movie of the year, I can easily say it makes my top ten. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed when the nominations are announced that the Academy agrees with me.