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Movie Review: True Grit The movie I chose to review is the 2010 remake of “True Grit.” This movie stars Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld as the main characters. Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn, Matt Damon plays LaBoeuf and Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie Ross, Josh Brolin portrays Tom Chaney, the man who murdered Mattie’s father. In the following paragraphs of this paper the following will be discussed: when it was produced, the basic plot line, the themes address regarding the West, the accuracy and portrayal of the characters in relation to the West, the time period and historical setting, and lastly the usefulness of this movie for someone who is interested in the history of the American West.
When Produced Ethan and Joel Coen (also known as ‘The Coen Brothers’) directed as well as produced the 2010 adaptation. Steven Spielberg was one of the executive producers. Since this version of “True Grit” was produced in 2010 it is written from a twenty-first century perspective. Although produced so recently, the film was based in 1880 which gives it a one hundred and thirty year gap in time. This tells one that the film had many modern influences.
Basic Plot The movie opens with Proverbs 28:1a displayed on the screen, it reads, “The wicked flee when none pursueth.” A song that sounds like the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” is gently being played on the piano. It is called “The Wicked Flee” and is composed by Carter Burwell. Based on the book “True Grit,” written by Charles Portis was initially published in
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1968, the book as well as the movie is a fictional portrayal of the American West. Mattie Ross (14-years-old) only has one thing on her mind, revenge. She is absolutely determined to see that Tom Chaney pay for the murder of her father. The film is written from the point of view of Mattie when she is much older. Mattie pays U.S. Marshal “Rooster” Cogburn fifty dollars to assist her in finding Chaney. LaBoeuf, a Texas Ranger goes with Cogburn and the two set out on their journey to capture Chaney. Mattie Ross insists on accompanying in the search and after much resistance from LaBoeuf, is finally allowed to go. The three of them, Rooster, LaBoeuf and Mattie, set out to bring justice to Tom Chaney for the murder of Mattie’s father. During this journey, Rooster and Mattie form a different type of friendship that comes from being companions in this way (freebooknotes.com).
Themes of the West Other than a reference to a saloon and some evidences of “the code of the west,” there really were not any recurring themes of the West. The reason for this could possibly be simply because the movie is fiction and the writers saw no need to develop a strong theme of the west.
Accuracy
In my knowledge I have gained in this course, I believe there is some accuracy in the portrayal of the characters. I could see traces of “the code of the west” and a mention of a saloon. Otherwise, the fact that the three main characters went in search of the antagonist in Indian Territory and did not come into contact with many Indians does not seem truly accurate. The people themselves as well as the places, however, do seem pretty accurate in my observations.
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Historical Setting “True Grit” is set in the year 1880. Taking place in Fort Smith, which is in Yell County, Arkansas as well as Indian Territory, most likely in Oklahoma. Although Cherokee Indians as well as the Chocktaw Nation are mentioned, there are few Indians seen in the film. “True Grit” does not cover a specific historical event, it is just simply a fictional setting in the West. That I saw or heard mentioned in the movie, there are not any historical figures involved or referenced in the story.
Usefulness of True Grit in a Historical Context The movie “True Grit,” in my opinion, would not be particularly useful for someone interested in the story of the American West. I believe that it should be avoided for the reason of it being fiction and not referencing historical figures or historical events. If one is to watch the movie for truly entertainment purposes then it would be a good choice of Old Westerns to watch.

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References
Coen, E. & J. (Directors and Producers). (2010). True Grit [DVD]. United States: Paramount Pictures.
True Grit (2010), Internet Movie Database, retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/maindetails, accessed on October 27, 2012.
True Grit, retrieved from http://www.freebooknotes.com/summaries-analysis/true-grit/, accessed on October 27, 2012.