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Since the glorious days of classic cinema masterpieces likeStagecoach, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,andButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid(to name just a few), audiences have long enjoyed a riveting Western with a fierce hero, gripping storyline, and plenty of rip-roaring action and excitement. Though the popularity of the thrilling genre has ebbed and flowed over the decades, the turn of the 21st century saw a revival of Westerns, and in 2010, the revered directing duothe Coen brothersset out to ambitiously remake a ’60s John Wayne staple,True Grit.
The illustrious filmmakers tapped a star-studded cast to headline the buzzed-about reimagining, with Jeff Bridges,Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and then-newcomer Hailee Steinfeld helping bring Charles Portsis' acclaimed novel to life in spectacular fashion. Jam-packed full of unforgettable characters, an engrossing premise, and plenty of explosive gunfights,True Gritis a must-see for fans of both its decorated actors and the enduring genre, and 15 years later, it is more than worthy of a rewatch by viewers.
The Coen Brothers' Thrilling Remake of a Cinema Classic
Decorated directing duo the Coen brothers set out to tackle a revered Hollywood Western in 2010 when they helmed the remake of the John Wayne classicTrue Grit,enlisting a stacked ensemble cast to help bring the reimagining to lifeincluding Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, and Josh Brolin. Acting great and Academy Award-winner Bridges brilliantly stars as Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, a booze-loving, quick-shooting lawman who agrees to help fiery 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) hunt down the dangerous outlaw responsible for the murder of her beloved father.
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As Rooster and Mattie travel across rugged and unforgiving terrain and face numerous threats along the way, the bickering pair also team up with determined Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Damon), who is on a mission of his own to find and apprehend fugitive Tom Chaney (Brolin) for the slaying of a state senator.The unlikely trio must find a way to get along and deal with their conflicting temperaments while on their daring quest to locate the elusive outlaw, as each of them finds their grit and resolve tested throughout the course of the gripping remake.
‘True Grit’ Dazzles and Delights Moviegoers Everywhere
The 2010 masterpiece is based on both the Charles Portis novel and subsequent ’60s classic, and Ethan Coen set out to create a more faithful adaptation of the literary hit as opposed to theJohn Wayne film. The directors wanted the remake to focus on the feisty character of Mattie Ross, with then up-and-comer and 13-year-old Hailee Steinfeld nabbing the highly-coveted role after beating out 15,000 applicants, includingStranger Thingsstar Natalia Dyer. Coen discussed their vision for the reimagining toIGNin 2009:
“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 humor in both the situations and in her voice… it’s a lot tougher and more violent than the movie reflects. Which is part of what’s interesting about it.”
True Gritmade its highly-anticipated premiere on July 06, 2025, defying naysayers who were worried aboutremaking a silver-screen favoriteand becoming both a certified critical and commercial triumph.Hollywood veteran Jeff Bridges delivered a tour de force performance as the cantankerous Rooster Cogburn, giving the stubborn and formidable character his own unique stamp and rightfully earning his sixth Oscar nomination for his stellar portrayal. The Western hit far-exceeded prerelease projections its opening weekend, earning $25.6 million at the box office (double the expected amount) and ultimately grossing $252.3 million worldwide during its run.
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Many critics felt that the Coen brothers' adaptation greatly improved upon the ‘69 film and lauded the performances of both Bridges and Steinfeld, with their endearing chemistry and electrifying dynamic helping the gifted stars each earn an Oscar nod.True Gritwas also praised for its exceptional screenplay, riveting characters, and sharp humor, with many appreciating how the filmmakers captured the essence ofthe celebrated Westernsof cinema’s past while giving the enduring genre their distinct touch; it was also singled out as one of Bridges’ finest portrayals in his illustrious repertoire.
The remake nabbed 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, but shockingly won none, thoughit was nonetheless named one of the Top 10 Films of the Year by the National Board of Review. Audiences couldn’t get enough of Bridges' rowdy Rooster as well as the picture’s taut atmosphere, exhilarating action sequences, and stunning cinematography, withUSA Todaycommending the Coen brothers in their stellar review and declaring the duo “pulled off an impressive feat: repurposing a classic film with their idiosyncratic blend of dark, deadpan humor and palpable suspense, while remaining ultra-faithful to the novel.“Buy/RentTrue GritonPrime Video.
