True Grit (Ethan Coen and Joel Coen) - 2010

I do believe that Jeff Bridges has out-Roostered John Wayne.  The Coen brothers have written a superb screenplay that gives the viewer the feel of an earlier time.  Many of the characters seem to be exceptionally articulate partially because they do not use contractions when they speak.  This movie, based on the 1968 novel by Charles Portis, is a significant improvement over the the 1969 movie directing by Henry Hathaway (1898-1985) and starring John Wayne (1907-1979) and Kim Darby.  Wayne, who appeared in 168 movies during a 50-year career, received his only academy award for his performance.  Young Hailee Steinfield was perfectly cast as the precocious daughter seeking closure for the untimely murder of her father.  If there was a flaw in this movie, I did not see it.  The Coens, Bridges and Steinfield deserve any awards that come their way.  [JAM 1/11/2011]