The western genre reached its peak back in the 1960s, and has been slowly drifting into obscurity ever since; with only one big-budget western movie of note appearing every few years; but now, with the release of Paramount’s True Grit not too far away, it looks like there is once again cause to look to the Old West, with hope.
True Grit is an adaptation of Charles Portis’ 1968 novel of the same name (which already had a film adaptation starring John Wayne back in 1969), and focusses on the story of a young girl named Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld, She’s a Fox), who goes on a mission to avenge the murder of her father; along the way enlisting the help of a one-eyed, pot-bellied, alcoholic, Marshall named Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart).
This new adaptation has been directed by the Coen Brothers, is already being predicted to receive a strong following at the next round of award ceremonies, and looks decidedly more serious and ‘gritty’ than it’s 1969 counterpart; which was marketed as being much more of a comedic affair.
Joining Hailee and Jeff, will be Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity), Josh Brolin (who previously worked with the Coen’s on No Country for Old Men, and will soon be appearing in Men in Black III), as the villain, and Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan); who will be keeping his last name in the film, as he’s playing the role of the notorious outlaw ‘Lucky’ Ned Pepper (a role previously played by The Godfather’s Robert Duvall).
It’s due for release on Christmas Day in the U.S., and touches down in the U.K. a couple of weeks later; on January the 14th, 2001; placing it right in the middle of awards season; and meaning it’ll that much fresher in the minds of the Oscar panel; but for those people who still want a taster of what’s to come, the trailer can be viewed below.
