True Grit (2010)

Fourteen year old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), determined to avenge her dad's demise, decides that Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is the perfect lawman to hunt down her dad's killer.  Cogburn, an ornery sort who's interpretation of the law is suspect, doesn't want to work for the girl, nor take her along for the hunt.    She intends to catch up with the murderer, a petty criminal named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), and put the "eye for an eye" rule into effect.  LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), a Texas Ranger is also on Chaney's trail.  He and Cogburn disagree on how to conduct the search, and LaBoeuf doesn't want Mattie tagging along either.  However, Mattie is articulate, focused, determined, and not one to take no for an answer.  The men have no choice but to take her along.

This version is a little more closer to the tone of the book of the same name than the original version of the film (1969) starring John Wayne.  Bridges' version of Cogburn is much more rougher than Wayne's interpretation of the character.  There is a lot of humor, especially in scenes where Mattie is out-talking people in her quest to get justice for her late dad.  The look of the film is rich in detail; it feels like what the Old West probably was -- dusty, hard, and dangerous.  There is also a nice wrap up at the end of the story featuring a middle aged Mattie (Elizabeth Marvel). 

The Coen brothers, who are known for more quirky and twisted fare such as Fargo (1996), directed this movie.  Mr. Bridges won a Best Actor Oscar for his work in Crazy Heart (2009).  Josh Brolin was a crooked cop in American Gangster (2007).  Matt Damon won a Best Screenplay Oscar (along with Ben Affleck) for Good Will Hunting (1997).