True Grit (2010)

Only the Coen brothers could get me to watch a Western in a cinema. I've been hurt before so many times in this genre -most likely due to my poor choice in films. I barely lasted ten minutes watching Jonah Hex - I should have known better. I am totally open to suggestions.
The last time True Grit was on the big screen, John Wayne won an Oscar and Robert Duvall had hair. I haven't seen that adaptation of Charles Portis' novel but I well seek it out.
The film is written and directed by those magnificent brothers and bringers of mirth, Joel and Ethan Coen.
Set in the wild west where men drink whiskey for breakfast and women wear corsets and faint, True Grit is the story of young Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld - Sons Of Tucson) who has a mouth full of 'tude and a head full of law.
Mattie is on the hunt for Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin... Jonah Hex), the man who killed her father and stole his gold and horses. After sending his body in a coffin back home, Mattie hires a Marshall to help track him down up in Choctaw Territory (them be Native Americans). Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges - Tron: Legacy) is a one-eyed drunkard who lives behind a Chinese grocer. He begrudgingly accepts Matties offer to bring Chaney to justice.
Also on the hunt for Chaney is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon - The Informant!). It turns our Chaney, aka Chelmsford, shot a Senator down in Texas and LaBoeuf wants to take him back there to hang. Fuelled by the need to avenge her father, Mattie wants him to hang in her home town.
But first, they have to catch him.
Those Coens have done it again. I feel like I have done myself a disservice for having not read the book yet, or even seen the 1969 film. I must rectify that.
Hailee Steinfeld is outstanding, even more so because she's barely a teenager! I read this morning that she has been nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at next month's Oscars and dagnammit I hope she wins. What an amazing young lady.
Jeff Bridges - what is there to say about Jeff Bridges. He is divine as the grumpy, unintelligible Cogburn. I wonder if he even understood what he was saying, there were times where I sure couldn't! Subtitles perhaps?? I know, that would ruin it.
Matt Damon is fast becoming one of my favourite actors. His last few performances have been top notch. LaBoeuf is such an oddball and Damon really brings that out.
Barry Pepper (Casino Jack) is incredible to watch as outlaw Lucky Ned Pepper (no relation, I'm sure). I will hold my toothbrush tight as I brush my teeth tonight.
Every Coen film has its quirky characters and True Grit has them in abundance. Like Bear Man (Ed Corbin - Weeds), who is some sort of doctor who rides along wearing a full bear skin and Harold Parmalee (Bruce Green - MadTV) who makes incredible animal impressions.
It must have been hard to film in all that snow and in such an unforgiving landscape. The scenery, harsh as it was in some parts, was beautiful and reminiscent of our Outback (minus the snow that is, and the spiders).
This was such a gorgeous film topped to the brim with great performances, amazing characters and that trademark Coen humour (with sheep jokes to boot!). A must see and well worthy of all its award nominations.
Things I learnt: never let Jeff Bridges put his hand in your mouth; never try to argue with a fourteen year old girl; watch your step.
Hats off.
Nine out of ten.