Joel and Ethan Coen know a thing or two about directing. Having each been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and winning two Oscars for screenwriting, along with winning an Academy Award for Best Director and Best Film, the Coen Brothers are obviously good at what they do. The Coen Brothers are set to continue their filming legacy with their latest film, “True Grit.”
“True Grit” tells the story of a young girl, Mattie Ross, whose father has been murdered by a drifter named Tom Chaney. Determined to avenge her father’s death, Mattie seeks help from U.S. Marshal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn in tracking down Chaney. Joining them is La Boeuf, a Texas Ranger who is searching for Chaney also. The three travel into Indian Territory on a dangerous quest in order to find Chaney.
“True Grit” looks great for a couple of reasons. First, of course, is because the Coen Brothers are directing. This film is a Western, after all, and the Coens found huge critical acclaim in their 2007 Western “No Country for Old Men,” which won them the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture. Also, the classic tale of revenge seems like a perfect fit for the Coens, whose films are known for their own brand of grit. Second, the film boasts an all-star cast. Jeff Bridges will play the man with true grit, Cogburn; Matt Damon will play the ranger, La Boeuf; Josh Brolin, who can be noted for his starring role in “No Country for Old Men,” will play the evil Chaney. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld plays the ambitious Mattie Ross.
While the cast and directors are excellent, they do have very big shoes to fill. “True Grit” is a remake of the critically acclaimed 1969 film of the same name. The pressure is on Bridges, who is playing the character portrayed by iconic cowboy legend John Wayne in the original. Wayne’s excellent portrayal of the alcoholic marshal won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
The remake of “True Grit” may not live up to the original, but there’s no doubt it will be great. Who knows? Yet another Academy Award may be in the near future for the Coens. No surprise there.
“True Grit” hits theaters Dec. 22.