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Meanwhile, [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]] LaBoeuf ([[Matt Damon]]) arrives on the trail of Chaney. LaBoeuf has been pursuing him for the murder of a state senator in Texas. After meeting Mattie, he proposes that he team up with Cogburn, who knows the [[Choctaw]] terrain where Chaney is hiding, while LaBoeuf knows how Chaney is most likely to behave, but Mattie refuses his offer. After finally securing Cogburn's services for $100, Mattie insists on meeting him the following morning to begin the search for Chaney. However, instead of meeting her, Cogburn leaves a train ticket and a note telling Mattie to go home while he apprehends Chaney.
Meanwhile, [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]] LaBoeuf ([[Matt Damon]]) arrives on the trail of Chaney. LaBoeuf has been pursuing him for the murder of a state senator in Texas. After meeting Mattie, he proposes that he team up with Cogburn, who knows the [[Choctaw]] terrain where Chaney is hiding, while LaBoeuf knows how Chaney is most likely to behave, but Mattie refuses his offer. After finally securing Cogburn's services for $100, Mattie insists on meeting him the following morning to begin the search for Chaney. However, instead of meeting her, Cogburn leaves a train ticket and a note telling Mattie to go home while he apprehends Chaney.


Refused passage on the ferry that conveyed Cogburn and LaBoeuf, Mattie's horse swims her across the river. Cogburn reluctantly allows her to come, to LaBoeuf's displeasure, after he physically insulted Mattie. The next day, she learns Cogburn and LaBoeuf have agreed to split the Texas reward on Chaney and return him to Texas, rather than to Arkansas, and Mattie accuses him of fraud. After a dispute, Cogburn ends his and LaBoeuf's deal and the ranger leaves. Later, while in pursuit of the "Lucky" Ned Pepper ([[Barry Pepper]]) gang, with whom Chaney is supposedly traveling, the two meet a bush doctor who directs them to an empty dugout for shelter. They find two outlaws occupying the cabin, Quincey ([[Paul Rae]]) and Moon ([[Domhnall Gleeson]]). As he questions them, Moon is fatally stabbed by Quincey, whom Cogburn then kills. Before he dies, Moon explains that Pepper and his gang were planning to return to the shack later that night.
Refused passage on the ferry that conveyed Cogburn and LaBoeuf, Mattie's horse swims her across the river. Cogburn reluctantly allows her to come, to LaBoeuf's displeasure, after he physically insulted Mattie. The next day, she learns Cogburn and LaBoeuf have agreed to split the Texas reward on Chaney and return him to Texas, rather than to Arkansas, and Mattie accuses him of fraud. After a dispute, Cogburn ends his and LaBoeuf's deal and the ranger leaves. Later, while in pursuit of the "Lucky" Ned Pepper ([[Barry Pepper]]) gang, with whom Chaney is supposedly traveling, the two meet a ([[bush doctor]]) who directs them to an empty dugout for shelter. They find two outlaws occupying the cabin, Quincey ([[Paul Rae]]) and Moon ([[Domhnall Gleeson]]). As he questions them, Moon is fatally stabbed by Quincey, whom Cogburn then kills. Before he dies, Moon explains that Pepper and his gang were planning to return to the shack later that night.


LaBoeuf arrives at the shack ahead of the gang, but they arrive before he can be warned. Cogburn kills two members of the gang, as well as Pepper's horse, but accidentally wounds LaBoeuf in the process. Cogburn drinks a great deal of whiskey during the next day and gets in an argument with LaBoeuf, who departs once more. The next morning, while getting water from a nearby river, Mattie encounters Chaney. She shoots him, but he survives. The pistol misfires as she tries to shoot him again, and he drags her back to Ned, who forces Cogburn to leave by threatening to kill her. Being short a horse, Ned leaves her with Chaney. Ned orders Chaney not to harm her or he will not get paid, and to take her to safety after his remount arrives.
LaBoeuf arrives at the shack ahead of the gang, but they arrive before he can be warned. Cogburn kills two members of the gang, as well as Pepper's horse, but accidentally wounds LaBoeuf in the process. Cogburn drinks a great deal of whiskey during the next day and gets in an argument with LaBoeuf, who departs once more. The next morning, while getting water from a nearby river, Mattie encounters Chaney. She shoots him, but he survives. The pistol misfires as she tries to shoot him again, and he drags her back to Ned, who forces Cogburn to leave by threatening to kill her. Being short a horse, Ned leaves her with Chaney. Ned orders Chaney not to harm her or he will not get paid, and to take her to safety after his remount arrives.

Revision as of 10:52, 3 July 2011

True Grit
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoel & Ethan Coen
Screenplay byJoel Coen
Ethan Coen
Produced byJoel Coen
Ethan Coen
Scott Rudin
Steven Spielberg
StarringJeff Bridges
Matt Damon
Josh Brolin
Barry Pepper
Hailee Steinfeld
Narrated byElizabeth Marvel
CinematographyRoger Deakins
Edited byRoderick Jaynes
Music byCarter Burwell
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • December 22, 2010 (2010-12-22)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryTemplate:Film US
LanguageEnglish
Budget$38 million[1]
Box office$249,250,624[2]

True Grit is a 2010 American Western film written and directed by the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of Charles Portis' 1968 novel of the same name, which was previously filmed in 1969 starring John Wayne. This version stars Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross and Jeff Bridges as U.S. Marshal Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn along with Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Barry Pepper.

Filming began in March 2010, and True Grit was officially released on December 22, 2010, in the US, after advance screenings earlier that month.[3] The film opened the 61st Berlin International Film Festival on February 10, 2011.[4] It was nominated for ten Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Jeff Bridges), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Hailee Steinfeld), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 7, 2011.

Plot

The film is narrated by the adult Mattie Ross (Elizabeth Marvel), who explains that her father was murdered by one of his hired hands, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), when she was 14. Chaney made off with her father's horse and his two California gold pieces.

While collecting her father's body, 14-year old Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) queries the local sheriff about the search for Chaney. After being told that Chaney has fled into the Indian Territory and that the sheriff has no authority to track a fugitive there, she inquires about hiring a Deputy U.S. Marshal. The sheriff gives three recommendations, and Mattie chooses to hire Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), as he is described as having "true grit." The gruff, one-eyed Cogburn repeatedly rebuffs her attempts to talk with him. She offers him $50, but he doesn't believe she has the money and refuses. She raises the money by aggressively horse-trading with Colonel Stonehill (Dakin Matthews), who did business with her father.

Meanwhile, Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) arrives on the trail of Chaney. LaBoeuf has been pursuing him for the murder of a state senator in Texas. After meeting Mattie, he proposes that he team up with Cogburn, who knows the Choctaw terrain where Chaney is hiding, while LaBoeuf knows how Chaney is most likely to behave, but Mattie refuses his offer. After finally securing Cogburn's services for $100, Mattie insists on meeting him the following morning to begin the search for Chaney. However, instead of meeting her, Cogburn leaves a train ticket and a note telling Mattie to go home while he apprehends Chaney.

Refused passage on the ferry that conveyed Cogburn and LaBoeuf, Mattie's horse swims her across the river. Cogburn reluctantly allows her to come, to LaBoeuf's displeasure, after he physically insulted Mattie. The next day, she learns Cogburn and LaBoeuf have agreed to split the Texas reward on Chaney and return him to Texas, rather than to Arkansas, and Mattie accuses him of fraud. After a dispute, Cogburn ends his and LaBoeuf's deal and the ranger leaves. Later, while in pursuit of the "Lucky" Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper) gang, with whom Chaney is supposedly traveling, the two meet a (bush doctor) who directs them to an empty dugout for shelter. They find two outlaws occupying the cabin, Quincey (Paul Rae) and Moon (Domhnall Gleeson). As he questions them, Moon is fatally stabbed by Quincey, whom Cogburn then kills. Before he dies, Moon explains that Pepper and his gang were planning to return to the shack later that night.

LaBoeuf arrives at the shack ahead of the gang, but they arrive before he can be warned. Cogburn kills two members of the gang, as well as Pepper's horse, but accidentally wounds LaBoeuf in the process. Cogburn drinks a great deal of whiskey during the next day and gets in an argument with LaBoeuf, who departs once more. The next morning, while getting water from a nearby river, Mattie encounters Chaney. She shoots him, but he survives. The pistol misfires as she tries to shoot him again, and he drags her back to Ned, who forces Cogburn to leave by threatening to kill her. Being short a horse, Ned leaves her with Chaney. Ned orders Chaney not to harm her or he will not get paid, and to take her to safety after his remount arrives.

Once alone, Chaney disobeys Ned and tries to kill Mattie. LaBoeuf appears and knocks Chaney out, explaining that when he heard the shots he rode back, and he and Cogburn devised a plan. They watch as Cogburn takes on the remaining members of Ned's gang, killing two and mortally wounding Ned, before his horse is struck and falls, trapping Cogburn's leg. Before Pepper can kill Cogburn, LaBoeuf shoots and kills Pepper from roughly four hundred yards away. Chaney comes to and attacks LaBoeuf, knocking him out. Mattie seizes LaBoeuf's rifle and shoots Chaney in the chest, knocking him over the edge of the cliff to his death. The recoil, however, knocks her into a deep pit, where she unwittingly disturbs a ball of rattlesnakes. Cogburn arrives, but she is bitten before he can get to her. Cogburn rides day and night to get Mattie to a doctor, carrying her on foot after euthanizing Mattie's exhausted horse.

Twenty-five years later, Mattie — now 40 and with only one arm, the result of an amputation necessitated by gangrene from the snakebite — receives a note from Cogburn with a flyer enclosed, inviting her to meet him at the traveling Wild West show with which he is performing. When she arrives at the site, she learns that Cogburn has died three days earlier. She has his body moved into her family farm plot. The film ends with her standing over his grave and reflecting on her decision to move Cogburn's remains, how she has never married, and how time catches up with everyone. She also states that she never heard from LaBoeuf again and that if he was still alive, she would be pleased to.

Cast

After competing with 15,000 other applicants for the role, Hailee Steinfeld was cast as Mattie Ross.

Adaptation and production

The project was rumored as far back as February 2008;[5] however it was not confirmed until March 2009.[6]

Ahead of shooting, Ethan Coen said that the film would be a more faithful adaptation of the novel than the 1969 version.

It's partly a question of point-of-view. The book is entirely in the voice of the 14-year-old girl. That sort of tips the feeling of it over a certain way. I think [the book is] much funnier than the movie was so I think, unfortunately, they lost a lot of humour in both the situations and in her voice. It also ends differently than the movie did. You see the main character – the little girl – 25 years later when she's an adult. Another way in which it's a little bit different from the movie – and maybe this is just because of the time the movie was made – is that it's a lot tougher and more violent than the movie reflects. Which is part of what's interesting about it.[7]

Mattie Ross "is a pill," said Ethan Coen in a December 2010 interview, "but there is something deeply admirable about her in the book that we were drawn to," including the Presbyterian-Protestant ethic so strongly imbued in a 14-year-old girl. Joel Coen said that the brothers did not want to "mess around with what we thought was a very compelling story and character". The film's producer, Scott Rudin said that the Coens had taken a "formal, reverent approach" to the Western genre, with its emphasis on adventure and quest. "The patois of the characters, the love of language that permeates the whole film, makes it very much of a piece with their other films, but it is the least ironic in many regards".[8]

Open casting sessions were held in Texas in November 2009 for the role of Mattie Ross. The following month, Paramount Pictures announced a casting search for a 12- to 16-year-old girl, describing the character as a "simple, tough as nails young woman" whose "unusually steely nerves and straightforward manner are often surprising".[9] Steinfeld, then age 13, was selected for the role from a pool of 15,000 applicants. "It was, as you can probably imagine, the source of a lot of anxiety", Ethan Coen told The New York Times. "We were aware if the kid doesn't work, there's no movie".[8]

The film was shot in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area in March and April 2010, as well as in Granger and Austin, Texas.[10] The first trailer was released in September; a second trailer premiered with The Social Network.

True Grit is the first Coen brothers film to receive a PG-13 rating since 2003's Intolerable Cruelty for "some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images."

For the final segment of the film, a one-armed body double was needed for Elizabeth Marvel (who played the adult Mattie). After a nationwide call, the Coen brothers cast Ruth Morris – a 29-year-old social worker and student who was born without a left forearm.[11] Morris has more screen time in the film than Marvel.[12]

Soundtrack

Main article: True Grit: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Release

Box office

In the holiday weekend following its December 22 North American debut, True Grit took in $25.6 million at the box office, twice its pre-release projections.[1] By its second weekend ending January 2, the film had earned $87.1 million domestically, becoming the Coen brothers' highest grossing film, surpassing No Country for Old Men, which earned $74.3 million. True Grit was the only mainstream movie of the 2010 holiday season to exceed the revenue expectations of its producers. Based on that performance, The Los Angeles Times predicted that the film would likely become the second-highest grossing western of all time when inflation is discounted, exceeded only by Dances with Wolves.[13] During its third weekend of release, True Grit reached the No. 1 spot at the box office, displacing Little Fockers, which had held the No. 1 spot for the two previous weeks. True Grit took in an additional $15 million in what is usually a slow month for movie attendance, reaching $110 million.[14]

Both the brothers and Paramount Vice Chairman Rob Moore attributed the film's success partly to its "soft" PG-13 rating, atypical for a Coen brothers film, which helped broaden audience appeal. Paramount anticipated that the film would be popular with the adults who often constitute the Coen brothers' core audience, as well as fans of the Western genre. But True Grit also drew extended families: parents, grandparents, and teenagers. Geographically, the film played strongest in Los Angeles and New York, but its top 20 markets also included Oklahoma City; Plano, Texas, and Olathe, Kansas.[13][15]

Home media

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 7, 2011.[16]

Reception

The film received critical acclaim; Rotten Tomatoes reported that 96% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 235 reviews, with only 10 negative reviews and an average score of 8.3/10, with its consensus stating: "Girded by strong performances from Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, and lifted by some of the Coens' most finely tuned, unaffected work, True Grit is a worthy companion to the Charles Portis book."[17] Metacritic gave the film an average score of 80/100 based on 40 reviews from mainstream critics, indicating "generally positive reviews".[18] Total Film gave the film a five-star review (denoting 'outstanding'): "This isn't so much a remake as a masterly re-creation. Not only does it have the drop on the 1969 version, it's the first great movie of 2011".[19]

Roger Ebert awarded 3.5 stars out of 4, writing, "What strikes me is that I'm describing the story and the film as if it were simply, if admirably, a good Western. That's a surprise to me, because this is a film by the Coen Brothers, and this is the first straight genre exercise in their career. It's a loving one. Their craftsmanship is a wonder", and also remarking, "The cinematography by Roger Deakins reminds us of the glory that was, and can still be, the Western."[20] The Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, writing, "The Coens, not known for softening anything, have restored the original's bleak, elegiac conclusion and as writer-directors have come up with a version that shares events with the first film but is much closer in tone to the book... Clearly recognizing a kindred spirit in Portis, sharing his love for eccentric characters and odd language, they worked hard, and successfully, at serving the buoyant novel as well as being true to their own black comic brio."[21] In his review for the Minneapolis Star Tribune Colin Covert wrote: "the Coens dial down the eccentricity and deliver their first classically made, audience-pleasing genre picture. The results are masterful."[22]

Rex Reed of The New York Observer criticized the film's pacing, referring to plot points as "mere distractions ... to divert attention from the fact that nothing is going on elsewhere". Reed considers Damon "hopelessly miscast" and finds Bridges' performance mumbly, lumbering, and self-indulgent.[23]

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops review called the film "exceptionally fine" and said "[a]mid its archetypical characters, mythic atmosphere and amusingly idiosyncratic dialogue, writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen's captivating drama uses its heroine's sensitive perspective – as well as a fair number of biblical and religious references – to reflect seriously on the violent undertow of frontier life."[24]

Awards

The film won the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Performer (Hailee Steinfeld) and received ten additional nominations in the following categories: Best Film, Best Actor (Jeff Bridges), Best Supporting Actress (Steinfeld), Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Score. The ceremony took place on January 14, 2011.[25]

It was nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Bridges) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Steinfeld). The ceremony took place on January 30, 2011.[26]

It was nominated for eight British Academy Film Awards: Best Film, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Bridges), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Steinfeld), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design. Roger Deakins won the award for Best Cinematography.

It was nominated for ten Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Bridges), Best Supporting Actress (Steinfeld), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. When told of all the nominations, the Coen brothers stated, "Ten seems like an awful lot. We don't want to take anyone else's."[27] The film did not win any Academy Awards.[28][29]

References

  1. ^ a b Barnes, Brooks (December 26, 2010). "Strong Start for Coen Brothers' 'True Grit'". New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  2. ^ "True Grit". Boxoffice Mojo. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  3. ^ Washington, DC, Film Society website.
  4. ^ "Coen Brothers' True Grit to Open the 61st Berlinale". berlinale.de. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  5. ^ "Joel and Ethan Coen saddle up for truly gritty remake of Western classic". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
  6. ^ "Coen brothers to adapt 'True Grit'". Variety. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
  7. ^ "True Grit Exclusive – Movies News at IGN". IGN. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  8. ^ a b Carr, David (December 10, 2010). "The Coen Brothers, Shooting Straight". New York Times. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  9. ^ "True Grit Film – casting Call". Truegritcasting.com. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  10. ^ "Coen Brothers to film 'True Grit' remake in NM". Boston Herald. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  11. ^ Ward, Alyson. "Chance led Ruth Morris to 'True Grit,' but her role isn't a new one." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Tuesday December 21, 2010.
  12. ^ Ackerman, Todd. "Social worker shows true grit in movie role." (Mobile story) Houston Chronicle. February 27, 2011. Retrieved on February 27, 2011.
  13. ^ a b Fritz, Ben (January 3, 1011). "Company Town: 'True Grit' rides tall in the saddle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  14. ^ Tourtellotte, Bob (January 9, 1011). ""True Grit" wrangles top spot at box offices". Reuters. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  15. ^ Cieply, Michael; Brooks, Barnes (January 5, 1011). "As a Hot Ticket, Will 'True Grit' Sway the Oscars?". New York Times. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  16. ^ "Amazon.com pre-release page". Amazon. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  17. ^ "True Grit Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  18. ^ "True Grit Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  19. ^ "True Grit Review". Total Film. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  20. ^ "True Grit". rogerebert.suntimes.com. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  21. ^ Turan, Kenneth (December 23, 2010). "Movie review: True Grit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  22. ^ Covert, Colin (December 23, 2010). "Classic Coens". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  23. ^ Reed, Rex (December 14, 2010). "Year-End Roundup: What to See (and Skip) Before the Ball Drops". The New York Observer. Retrieved February 6, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ True Grit review at Catholic News Service – Media Review Office
  25. ^ "Broadcast Film Critics Awards Nominees". Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  26. ^ "17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® Nominations Announcement". Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  27. ^ French, Doug (2011-02-08) True Grit and True Commerce, Mises Institute
  28. ^ "Oscar nominations 2011 in full". BBC News. 2011-01-25. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  29. ^ "Oscar nominees 2011". MSN Movies UK. 2011-01-25. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
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