Remakes usually fall short of the originals, but every so often, a film comes along that not only honors its predecessor but surpasses it entirely. That's exactly what happened in 2010 when Joel and Ethan Coen took on Charles Portis's novel True Grit and delivered a Western that redefined the genre for a new generation. With Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and a then-unknown Hailee Steinfeld, the Coens crafted a movie that stands as the best Western of the past 15 years and arguably one of the greatest ever made.
The original 1969 film starring John Wayne won the Duke his only Oscar, but that win was more a career achievement nod than a reflection of the film's quality. Wayne's Rooster Cogburn is iconic, but the movie around him is uneven—Glen Campbell's performance falls flat, and the pacing lacks the tautness of classics like Stagecoach or The Searchers. It's a decent film elevated by its star and source material, but hardly a masterpiece.
Why the Coen Brothers' Version Works
Forty years later, the Coens found the key to unlocking the story's true potential. They shifted the focus from Rooster Cogburn to Mattie Ross, the 14-year-old girl who hires him to track her father's killer. In the original, Mattie is a side character; in the remake, she's the emotional core. Steinfeld, in her film debut, delivers a performance of stunning maturity—grieving, stubborn, and fiercely determined. She earned an Oscar nomination at 14 and should have won.
Bridges, fresh off his Crazy Heart Oscar, brings a grizzled, melancholic depth to Cogburn. His chemistry with Damon's LaBoeuf and Steinfeld's Mattie creates a dynamic that's both darkly funny and heartbreaking. Roger Deakins's cinematography captures the harsh beauty of the West, while the Coens' signature dialogue balances wit and sorrow. This isn't a rough-and-tumble adventure; it's a meditation on grief, justice, and the cost of survival.
The Coens have a knack for the Western genre—just look at No Country for Old Men and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Their worldview, which finds humor in despair and hope in hopelessness, fits the genre perfectly. It's surprising they haven't made more Westerns, but True Grit remains their crowning achievement in the genre.
A Remake That Outshines the Original
What sets the 2010 True Grit apart is its unwavering focus on Mattie's perspective. The Coens understood that the story belongs to her, not Cogburn. This choice transforms the film into a poignant exploration of a child's encounter with violence and loss. Steinfeld's performance is one of the best young turns of the 21st century, and she anchors the film with a gravity that belies her age.
For fans of the Western genre, this is essential viewing. It's a film that respects its roots while forging its own path, and it's a testament to the power of great filmmaking. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on a modern classic. And if you're a fan of the heaviest Westerns ever made, check out our ranking of the most brutal Westerns for more bleak brilliance.
In the end, the Coen Brothers' True Grit isn't just a great remake—it's a masterpiece that stands tall among the best Westerns of all time. Whether you're a fan of the original or new to the story, this is the version to watch.
