True Grit (2010) “Fill Your Hands!”

True Grit (2010), directed by the Coen Brothers, is a masterful reimagining of the 1969 classic based on Charles Portis’s novel. A Western steeped in themes of justice, revenge, and the resilience of the human spirit, the film stands as a compelling testament to the Coen Brothers’ distinctive approach to filmmaking. Unlike many contemporary Westerns, True Grit strikes a careful balance between gritty realism and dark humor, all while offering complex characters, stunning cinematography, and a carefully crafted story.

Plot Overview

Set in the late 19th century, True Grit follows 14-year-old Mattie Ross (played by Hailee Steinfeld), a determined and tough young girl who embarks on a mission to avenge the murder of her father, Frank Ross. Frank was shot in cold blood by a man named Tom Chaney (played by Josh Brolin), and Mattie wants justice—no matter the cost. To hunt down the killer, she enlists the help of a hard-drinking, grizzled U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn (played by Jeff Bridges), who has a reputation for “true grit.” Along with LaBoeuf (played by Matt Damon), a Texas Ranger who is also pursuing Chaney for a separate crime, the trio embarks on a perilous journey into Indian Territory to capture Chaney and bring him to justice.

As the group travels through treacherous terrain, Mattie proves herself to be far more than just a helpless girl, showing the kind of courage and determination that puts many adults to shame. As tensions rise and the danger becomes more real, the group’s varying personalities and motivations come into sharp contrast, leading to a journey not only of physical endurance but also of personal growth and moral reflection.

The Characters

• Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges)
  One of the most iconic characters in Western cinema, Rooster Cogburn is portrayed by Jeff Bridges in a gritty, charismatic performance. Bridges’s portrayal captures the roughness and rough-hewn wisdom of the character, making him both humorous and deeply flawed. Rooster is an unapologetically flawed man, a heavy drinker with a sharp sense of justice, and his dynamic with Mattie is central to the film. As a bounty hunter, he’s seen the worst of the world, yet his evolving relationship with Mattie reveals a side of him that is more vulnerable than expected.
• Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld)
  Hailee Steinfeld’s breakthrough performance as Mattie Ross earned her widespread acclaim. Portraying a young girl who refuses to be intimidated, Mattie is clever, determined, and willing to fight for what she believes is right. Despite her age, she is the backbone of the film, driving the plot with a sense of moral clarity and an unrelenting desire for justice. Her interactions with Rooster and LaBoeuf underscore her tenacity and maturity, making her one of the most memorable young protagonists in film history.