True Grit

I always try to tell the truth, so that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to start off this blog entry by saying, "I was so excited to see the new western, True Grit!" I won't say, "As I settled into my slightly uncomfortable theatre seat, popcorn in hand, I waited eagerly to be taken back to the old west, a place of danger and excitement, a place I'd been a million times before and couldn't wait to return to." Because both of those statements would be lies. The truth is, I had only seen one other westen before in my life, and I hated it. It was so boring, I actually fell asleep, something that had never happened to me before (it's happened since, but that's another story). The movie was so dull, I can't even remember the title. So when my brother decided to go see True Grit, I can't say I jumped at the chance. I actually started to say no...when a realization hit me. Was I actually prejudiced against westerns? As stupid as it seemed, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was true. After that one awful western film, I had avoided seeing another at any cost (something that's hard to do when you have a brother obsessed with the old west, believe me). To make a long story short, I decided I was being absurd, and that I had to give this film a chance. Heck, I didn't even know what it was about.
The film, rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images, is the story of Mattie Ross. Her father was murdered by his partner, Tom Chaney, and Mattie is determined the killer be brought to justice. She engages the help of aging U.S. Marshall Cogburn, whom she's told has "true grit", to track down Chaney. But barely have they started out when they discover another man, LaBoeuf, is after him as well, and a sort of rivalry ensues. However, the three soon realize that beating the others is the least of their worries when they find that Tom Chaney is in the empolyment of devious outlaw Ned Pepper. If they want to complete their mission, they won't only have to capture Chaney, but fight for their very lives.
I never thought I'd ever hear myself say this, but True Grit was probably one of the best movies I've seen in a long while. I not only liked a western, but loved it. The film's best attributes are it's witty dialouge and likeable characters, which it uses to its advantage. Characterization is key, and by the film's end, you feel like you've known the characters for years and not just for the two hour, eight minute running time. The movie starts off slow, but quickly picks up pace as it nears the climatic ending. Humor is sprinkled into the otherwise dark film, keeping the tone lighter than expected, but True Grit doesn't mess around: it's no comedy, and although the ending might leave you with a tear in your eye, it makes you feel good, in a strange way, that they didn't try to sugar-coat things, but told it like it was. 
Every character-from young Mattie to gruff Cogburn to big-headed LaBoeuf-touches you in some way, and a lot of that is thanks to the incredible actors involved. Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, who play the two male leads, are excellent as always, but the real surprise comes from newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. The fourteen year old actress plays the role of Mattie with confidance, and makes the old-fashioned way of speaking seem totally natural. 
Of course, every movie has its downside, and True Grit is no exception. While the friendship and bravery of the three main characters are admirable, one has to question whether their true mission is. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengence is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'". This verse, Romans 12:19, states clearly that revenge is not the answer. So, should Mattie have gone so far to kill Tom Chaney? True Grit is just a movie, and I took it as such, but it's still an interesting question to ponder.
The old west was a rough place, and this movie doesn't try to hide that fact. The film's violence is obvious, and is shown right on screen. We see men hanged, dead corpses, one guy's fingers get chopped off right before he's stabbed, and a whole lot of shooting. This is a western, so it's expected, and it's not terribly bloody, but I still believe everyone should have fair warning, since everyone's tolerance levels are different. The only other concern (which is, once again, not mentioned in the film's rating) are smatters of profanity through-out the film. Nothing terribly harsh, but it's there.
I walked out of True Grit surprised...pleasantly so. If you can stomache the violence, I reccomend it highly, and while the movie has its rough moments, overall it's a cinematic masterpiece. If I could say one movie I think will make it, one that will be remembered in years to come, I'd say this one, because it has true grit.