--- title: "True Grit: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/true-grit/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/true-grit" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # True Grit (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 13 reviews: 12 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics warmly favour the Coen brothers’ True Grit, with praise clustering around the performances, the period dialogue and the care of the adaptation. Hailee Steinfeld draws particular attention for her assurance and handling of the stylised language, while Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon receive strong notices for their sharply drawn characters. The reviews also admire the photography and the balance of black humour, violence and warmth, finding much to value in the film’s respect for Charles Portis’s novel. The reservations concern how much that craftsmanship delivers beyond an entertaining western. Critics differ over how distinctive it feels: Sight and Sound welcomes its grotesque touches, while Little White Lies finds it too safe to fully express the brothers’ oddness. The Hollywood Reporter offers the clearest dissent, praising the acting and craft but finding little dramatic or emotional resonance. The spread is largely positive, with disagreement about depth and originality rather than execution. ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 5/5. 8 February 2011. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/true-grit) ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 11 February 2011. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/true-grit-2-review/) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating A-. 21 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/true-grit-1798166854) ## Total Film — Philip Kemp Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/true-grit-review/) ## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward Rating 4/4/3. 10 February 2011. 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. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/true-grit) ## Sight and Sound — Ben Walters Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 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. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/5957/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 2011. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/feb/10/true-grit-review) ## Film Comment Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 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. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/true-grit/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/true-grit/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 7 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/film-review-true-grit-56813/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan 22 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-22-la-et-true-grit-20101222-story.html) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 22 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/movies/22true.html) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 2 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/true-grit-1117944143/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 21 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://collider.com/true-grit-review/) ## NME — James McMahon Rating 4/5. 7 January 2011. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-movie-11783-321047) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 December 2010. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/coen-brothers-western-true-gritty-and-goofy-22914/) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 5 out of 5. 10 February 2011. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/true-grit-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/true-grit.md