True Grit Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A 14-year-old girl hires a drunk with an eyepatch and a Texas Ranger to get revenge for her dad’s murder, and things get… gritty.

🍿 True Grit: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder of Frank Ross

In 1870, 14-year-old Mattie Ross arrives in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to settle the affairs of her father, Frank Ross, who was murdered by his employee, Tom Chaney. Determined to avenge his death, Mattie seeks to hire a U.S. Marshal to track Chaney down and bring him to justice. Mattie is portrayed as unusually intelligent and mature for her age.

Hiring Rooster Cogburn

Mattie learns of Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn, a tough, one-eyed U.S. Marshal known for his grit and effectiveness. Despite Cogburn’s reputation as a heavy drinker and being generally unrefined, Mattie believes he is the best man for the job. After some negotiation and initial reluctance from Cogburn, she successfully hires him with the promise of a fifty-dollar reward.

The Unlikely Trio

A Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf is also tracking Chaney for the murder of a senator in Texas, hoping to collect a larger reward. Mattie insists on joining Cogburn on the hunt, despite his objections. LaBoeuf eventually joins them, forming an uneasy alliance with the headstrong Mattie and the grizzled Cogburn. The trio ventures into the Indian Territory, facing dangers and testing their resolve.

Confrontations and Discoveries

The group encounters various obstacles, including dangerous outlaws and harsh weather conditions. They discover Chaney has joined Lucky Ned Pepper’s gang. Mattie’s determination never wavers, and she faces tense encounters with the outlaws, even being held captive at one point. This is where the film really tests each character’s strength of will.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld): A determined and articulate fourteen-year-old girl seeking justice for her father’s murder.
• Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges): A boozy, one-eyed U.S. Marshal hired by Mattie for his reputation of having ‘true grit’.
• LaBoeuf (Matt Damon): A Texas Ranger who joins Mattie and Rooster in pursuit of Tom Chaney, seeking justice for a different crime.
• Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin): The cowardly hired hand who murders Mattie’s father and becomes the target of her relentless pursuit.
• Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper): The leader of a group of outlaws, who briefly holds Mattie captive.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mattie Ross: “You must pay for everything in this world one way and another. There is nothing free except the grace of God.” – Mattie says this line, reflecting her stern, business-like, and pragmatic worldview as she confronts the realities of settling her father’s affairs and seeking justice.
• Rooster Cogburn: “I never shot nobody I didn’t have to.” – Rooster says this line to Mattie, in response to her questions about his reputation for being a ruthless lawman.
• Rooster Cogburn: “I aim to kill you, or see you hanged. Which will you have?” – Rooster shouts this as he charges Ned Pepper and his gang, guns blazing, in a display of his ‘true grit’ and determination to bring them to justice.
• LaBoeuf: “I have a Federal warrant for the arrest of Tom Chaney for the murder of a senator and the theft of his dog, whose name was Senator’s dog.” – LaBoeuf states this to Mattie Ross when explaining why he is also pursuing Chaney.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $38,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $171,243,005
• Worldwide Gross: $252,278,285

💥 True Grit Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved True Grit! The movie transported me back to the wild west with its stunning scenery and authentic feel. Hailee Steinfeld’s performance blew me away, and Jeff Bridges was perfect as the grizzled Rooster Cogburn. I was on the edge of my seat during the showdown at the end, and the emotional impact of the ending hit me hard. Seeing Mattie, all grown up with her arm gone and no one to share her life with really struck a chord. A brilliant film that I’ll definitely watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Westerns”
  • “Admirers of the Coen brothers’ films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate strong female leads”
  • “Those interested in stories of revenge and justice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gunfights”
  • “Some disturbing imagery”
  • “Mature themes of death and revenge”
  • “Brief language”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “The Coen brothers have crafted a visually stunning and emotionally resonant Western that captures the essence of Charles Portis’ novel. Jeff Bridges delivers a nuanced performance as Rooster Cogburn, and Hailee Steinfeld shines as the determined Mattie Ross. A must-see for fans of the genre.
• Rolling Stone: “True Grit is a triumph of filmmaking, with the Coen brothers bringing their signature style to a classic Western story. The performances are top-notch, and the cinematography is breathtaking. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “The Coen brothers’ True Grit is a masterpiece of storytelling, with a compelling narrative and unforgettable characters. Jeff Bridges gives a career-defining performance as Rooster Cogburn, and Hailee Steinfeld is a revelation as Mattie Ross. This is a film that will be remembered for years to come.

Audience Reactions

Hailee Steinfeld’s breakout performance as Mattie Ross was the most beloved aspect of this movie.: The strong performances of the cast, the beautiful cinematography, and the faithful adaptation of the source material were praised the most.

Overall Consensus: True Grit is a critically acclaimed and commercially successful Western film that is praised for its performances, cinematography, and storytelling.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Coen brothers aimed for a more faithful adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel than the 1969 film.”
• “Hailee Steinfeld beat out approximately 15,000 other girls for the role of Mattie Ross.”
• “Because Hailee Steinfeld was a minor, child labor laws restricted the filming schedule and necessitated the use of an adult double for some shots.”
• “Buster Coen, Ethan Coen’s son, is listed in the end credits as ‘Mr. Damon’s abs double’; he was actually an on-set assistant to the script supervisor.”

🖥️ How to Watch True Grit?

True Grit (2010) is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can rent or buy it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your local listings for television broadcasts.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed True Grit, you might like these similar films:

• The Searchers (1956): A classic Western about a determined individual embarking on a long and dangerous journey of revenge.
• Unforgiven (1992): A revisionist Western that explores the dark side of violence and the consequences of a life lived on the frontier.
• No Country for Old Men (2007): Another Coen Brothers film that explores themes of morality, violence, and the changing landscape of the American West.
• Hell or High Water (2016): A modern Western with similar themes of desperation, morality, and justice in the face of economic hardship.

🛒 True Grit Related Products

• True Grit (Blu-ray): Own the critically acclaimed film in stunning high definition. Includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
• True Grit: A Novel: Read the classic novel by Charles Portis that inspired the film. Experience the original story in all its literary glory.
• True Grit: Rooster Cogburn Funko POP! Vinyl Figure: Add the legendary US Marshal Rooster Cogburn to your Funko POP! collection with this highly detailed vinyl figure.
• True Grit Movie Poster: High-quality print of the iconic True Grit movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying in your home or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

True Grit features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” – performed by Hymn
• “The Wicked Flee” – performed by Carter Burwell
• “Father’s Letter” – performed by Carter Burwell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bear Man from True Grit

Curious about the Bear Man character from True Grit? This video offers a fascinating look at the actor behind him and his contributions to the film.

Why John Wayne Disliked his hit 1969 film TRUE GRIT

Did you know John Wayne had issues with True Grit? This video delves into the production drama and reveals why he wasn’t a fan of the film that made him an icon.

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