True Grit

True Grit (1969)
Paramount Pictures
Directed by Henry Hathaway
Starring John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby

After Mattie Ross’ (Kim Darby) father is killed by an outlaw, she hires the help of drunken US Marshall Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (John Wayne) to track down him and collect the reward. With the help of Texas Ranger La Beouf (Glen Campbell), the group must track down the outlaw Tom Chaney and avoid being killed by local gangster Lucky Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall). True Grit is based off of the novel by Charles Portis, though it differs in some aspects. The film is a well crafted, well acted revenge film that showcases John Wayne’s skills as an actor. The eye-patch wearing Rooster Cogburn is one of his most colorful and dimensional characters. There is not a whole lot going on in True Grit, but it showcases some wonderful acting a likeable characters.

Glen Campbell is well casted as La Beouf, and works well with Wayne. Darby is supposed to be a 14-year old girl, but sometimes acts younger, and at other times shows her maturity. She can be a bit annoying in some scenes. A young Robert Duvall portrays the outlaw Pepper, and though he has a small amount of screentime, brings real emotion to the part and creates a villain worth hating.

True Grit has some mixed messages within its context. One message is to seek revenge on others, no matter the cost. This is evident with Mattie Ross and her quest to track down Tom Chaney. Another message is about redemption with Rooster Cogburn. He has always been a hated, drunken Marshall and now he has the opportunity to redeem his name because of his “true grit,” which he has lost in his old age. Mattie pushes him throughout the film to save and protect her, and in the end, he regains his “grit.”

True Grit is not the greatest Western. It has mediocre sets, a basic plot, and simple contexts, but the greatest achievement of the film is the characters. Rooster Cogburn will be one of John Wayne’s finest characters, and a testament to his abilities and not just an action star, but as a serious action star.

Rating: B


June 10, 2010