TRUE GRIT (Rated PG-13)      Five Stars

Interestingly, this might serve as the first Coen brothers’ movie that works as a straight piece (as opposed to an exploration of bizarre characters). So many of their other films seem to focus on the massive flaws of the leads that True Grit (110 minutes) stands out for a kinder, gentler depiction of the characters. 

Unlike the original, which started much slower, the remake collapses the intro to a short voiceover by Mattie Ross (Elizabeth Marvel) recounting the story of how Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) killed her father. The voiceover switches to a younger Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld, much less irritating than the 1969 version), who arrives to collect her father’s body. She spends the night in the morgue, and then sets out the next day to assert her Protestant ethic all over everybody. In the midst of dealing with the loose ends left by the death of her father, Mattie inquires about U.S. Marshals. When she hears that Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is the meanest, she attempts to hire him.

Apparently, even in the old west it is considered rude to approach someone about a job when they are in the outhouse, and Rooster rebuffs her first attempt. Meanwhile, Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon, also less irritating than the 1969 version) arrives looking for Chaney. He proposes that the three work together, since the Marshal knows the territory and he knows Chaney.

Mattie, Rooster, and la Boeuf have a difference of opinion over how best to pursue Chaney, and they set off in two separate parties. Mattie and Rooster set out. They find a hanged man being pecked by crows and a man dressed as a bear. This is not a dream sequence, and therefore it is highly amusing. They get information that sends them after Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper … and I know that Robert Duvall is old, but I bet he could have done a better job reprising his 1969 role than Barry Pepper. Because I don’t like Berry Pepper.) and his gang. They find a dugout cabin and plan an ambush to scoop up the gang, but their plans go afoul.

Now reunited with La Boeuf, the three ride on into the plains towards the mountains, and their best chance for catching Lucky Ned. Of course, it is past time to address the “Rooster drinks too much” subplot, and so the Marshal starts drinking heavily. After drinking heavily, he randomly fires his weapon at some corn biscuits, while a straight faced La Boeuf occasionally takes a shot himself at the corn biscuits in order to…? Well, I’m sure he was trying to make some kind of point.

Rooster continues to drink long in to the night, and finally calls off the whole expedition. Naturally, Mattie finds what she seeks the very next morning, meeting Chaney when she goes to get morning water. Some nifty horse riding and gun fighting follow some great confrontation scenes. The finale differs slightly from the 1969 version, with a return to adult Mattie Ross considering the history she shared with Rooster.

Hailee Steinfeld manages to capture the single-minded composure of Mattie Ross without alienating viewers by presenting herself as too precocious. Jeff Bridges does an acceptable job with his character arc, encapsulating the gruff peacemaker who manages to meet Mattie on her admittedly uncompromising terms perfectly.

It is a strength of the film that the action moves quickly without sacrificing the sincerity of the character development. Overall an excellent western that is also family friendly, if you can get past the random amputations and constant shooting.