True Grit (2010)

The Coens serve as respectful master craftsmen in this superb adaptation that restores the grit to Charles Portis's novel, creating an attractive yet no-nonsense western with black humour and warmth. Calhoun singles out Hailee Steinfeld as a revelation in the lead role and the film's pleasing balance of stately and earthy qualities.

The Coen brothers deliver a majestic, faithful adaptation of the Portis novel that is unmistakably their own, with exquisite performances especially from Jeff Bridges and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. The language, visuals and emotional depth make it a near-perfect Western epic.

The Coens offer a rollicking yet grave tale of flawed characters seeking justice in a mythic Old West, with Bridges, Steinfeld and Damon excelling in roles that blend dark humor and startling violence.

The Coens’ version is far superior to the 1969 Hathaway film, treating the source with respect while adding their distinctive touch through rich language and performances from Bridges, Steinfeld and Damon. It is a masterly re-creation that ends on a poignant note of time and loss.

The Coens' salty western is funny, furious and blow-your-socks-off cinema, with newcomer Hailee Steinfeld stealing the show as the determined Mattie Ross. However, the result is too safe and accessible, obscuring the brothers' usual kinetic oddball brand of storytelling.

The Coens deliver a stronger, weirder take on the novel than the 1969 Hathaway film, with formally superb production and added grotesque touches that give it a macabre fairytale timbre. Walters highlights Bridges' meaner yet heroic Cogburn and the film's retention of the book's terse, witty style.

The critic finds the Coens' adaptation an impressive and austere work that is darker than the 1969 version, with strong performances especially from Matt Damon as LaBoeuf. The film is praised for its photography and the poignant, gentle final moments.

The Coens’ adaptation emphasizes Mattie’s tenacity and independence over gunplay in a mostly genial odd-couple comedy with the three leads. A transporting fever-dream sequence and the restored novel ending provide mythological and melancholy flourishes.

The film is a straightforward, vigorous revenge oater that locates sadness, strength and loneliness in its characters through strong performances and period dialogue, though it is not particularly novel or profound.

The Coen brothers' remake is well played and superbly crafted but one-dimensional, with little dramatic or emotional resonance. Strong performances from Steinfeld and Damon stand out amid a focus on harshness over humor.

The critic calls it one of the Coens' most broadly entertaining films, crediting the irrepressible narrative voice from the novel and the casting. They single out newcomer Hailee Steinfeld's handling of the stylized dialogue as a key strength.

The critic praises the Coen brothers' faithful adaptation of the Portis novel as a comic-serious tale of vengeance, highlighting its authentic American Gothic tone and strong performances. They single out the young heroine's bloodlust and braided hair as a standout element.

The critic notes that Jeff Bridges reinvents the iconic Rooster Cogburn role in this back-to-the-book remake, making the character feel original. They single out the physical reinvention and the paternal shift in his attitude toward Mattie as highlights.

The critic praises the Coen Brothers for crafting a standout Western with electric dialogue, magnificent performances especially from Hailee Steinfeld and Jeff Bridges, stunning cinematography, and a balanced, accessible yet distinctive film. They single out the performances and the film's ability to juggle action with quirky elements.

True Grit is a measured, stylistically flawless love letter to the western genre rather than an attempt to evolve it, with excellent work from Bridges and standout odd set pieces. It is an excellent if fannish piece and the best western of the last twenty years.

The critic calls it a fine film but not a game-changer: dark and moody with strong performances from Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld, yet undercut by broad comedy and tonal shifts that limit its impact.

The Coens deliver their best film since No Country for Old Men with a slick, evocative script and universally strong performances, especially Hailee Steinfeld’s assured turn. It is a triumph that feels authentic and uncompromised.