I worked out just how much I liked this film about five minutes in.Our protagonist is Mattie Ross, a gutsy fourteen year old girl who stands up to the growling drunkard, Rooster Cogburn (played brilliantly by Jeff Bridges), and the man she seeks revenge on: the infamous Tom Chaney.
Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie brilliantly, making the viewer wonder where the character got her gutsy courage and independence from, while also highlighting her childish innocence and vulnerability.
Jeff Bridges excellently pulls off the (secretly soft-hearted) dangerous and irresponsible Cogburn, while Matt Damon plays a Texas Ranger who, unusually for Matt Damon, is an unattractive character we deeply dislike.
The acting and characterisation in this film is so wonderful because the characters each have such detailed traits; traits that frequently contradict one another.
The plot may be quite simple, but it allows space for character development and a heartfelt story - ultimately about the relationship between Cogburn and Mattie.
It's not your stereotypical Western, as I feared it might be; it has trigger-happy cowboys, horses, murder etc, but it's not about the action. It's about the character relationships.
Watch it if you like revenge stories, watch it if you like Jeff Bridges, watch it if you like strong women characters - basically, put it high up in your 'To Watch' list!
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