This Western by the Coen Brothers is a rare film for the genre nowadays. Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie, a young girl who seeks revenge on her fathers killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). She asks Deputy US Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) if he would hunt down Chaney for her. Meanwhile, Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) also is attempting to track down and kill Chaney because of another murder he committed in Texas.
The acting and casting is great in this film--especially 14-year-old Steinfeld. I wouldn't be surprised if she recieves an Oscar nod. The character depth is also well thought out and executed, but maybe not the best character development. The writing was great in this adaptation of the book, and the cinematography will also likely get nominated for some awards. It's a very simple film and a good Western. I just wish that I walked away feeling a bit more fulfilled--similar to how I felt after The Hurt Locker, but not as much so. However, this really is a great film that doesn't rely on a "good looking" cast to move it along. It captures the audiences attention the whole time, it just wasn't as moving as I would have hoped--but it IS a Western after all, so I guess that might come with the genre.
Overall Grade: A-
-Ethan Brehm
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