 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
True Grit
- Review Date: December 20, 2010
- PG-13
- Genre: Western
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Coen brothers tackle classic Western with wit and brutality.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the Coen brothers' adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel -- which also inspired the 1969 John Wayne classic -- is impressive and forceful, but it's also full of brutal (and sometimes bloody) gunfight sequences and other violent moments that aren’t appropriate for younger viewers, as well as some language and drinking (one character is perpetually soused). That said, mature teens are likely to feel a kinship with the lead character, 14-year-old Mattie Ross, who faces challenges that would break many adults. They might even learn from her adventure -- and not small-potatoes lessons, either, but ones dealing with loyalty, courage, and determination.
What's the story?
Based on Charles Portis’ novel -- which also inspired the John Wayne movie of the same name -- TRUE GRIT is narrated by Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), whom viewers meet when she’s 14. Her father has died at the hands of the “coward” Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), and she needs someone to bring Chaney back, dead or alive. Her first choice is one-eyed U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), who’s as good at downing liquor as he is at marshaling. Joining them is Texas Ranger LeBeouf (Matt Damon), who’s heavy on patter and earnestness -- making for an unusual (and potent) trio.
Is it any good?
In this Western filled with gorgeous landscapes and action-packed shootouts, the Coen brothers display a vision of a Wild West that is indeed wild -- but also honorable. They went back to Portis’ original text and have transformed it into a work of art that stands on its own, apart and different from the 1969 adaptation. Laconic stretches explode with violence and relax with wit and humor on a stage peopled with extraordinary actors, with Bridges as the master. It’s a true Western, made for both the genre’s connoisseurs and newcomers.
The biggest revelation, besides how hokey-yet-winning Damon can be, is Steinfeld. Her role requires the ability to stand up against two award-winning actors and portray a teen who tackles adult responsibilities fully while both grieving and avenging the loss of a parent -- true grit, in other words -- and she executes perfectly. From start to finish, True Grit plays as it should, and well.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's characters. Are they role models? Are they intended to be? Who's the most admirable character here? The least?
Do you think Mattie is a realistic teen character? For the time period, was she acting her age?
How does this film adhere to (or not) the Western genre’s basic characteristics? How does it compare to other Coen brothers movies?
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AGE
Bad dreams await those under 13
Before taking my 12 and 13 year-old sons and my 10 3/4 year old daughter to this movie, I checked CSM as I always do. I was surprised to see them rate 15+, but was relieved at the adult reviews showing 10-11+. I wish I had trusted the CSM rating. This was very inappropriate for my daughter, aged 10. The problem was not the violence necessarily, but the overall scariness. There were some absolutely terrifying parts to a girl this age. She struggled through this movie, big time! She spent a lot of time with her face in her hands or turned away from the screen. My hand and arm are full of her fingernail marks from clinching me tightly, and I had to deal with resulting bad dreams all that night. And let me reassure you that this girl is no shrinking violet. I think CSM needs a "Scary" category. I am also disappointed that no one mentioned the graphic chopping off of fingers, plunging knives into chests, corpses with snakes nested in the torsos, the running to exhaustion and then execution of the girl's horse, the near-death of the girl, the amputation of her arm, the smashing of skulls with large rocks, the beating of the 14 y/o girl with a switch, and standing on her face with one boot while threatening to blow her head off. It is too bad, really, because much of the rest of the movie was worthwhile especially the demonstration of a smart, capable young woman.
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AGE
Great adapted western from the John Wayne classic
First, if you want to see this up front, this movie is VIOLENT. It's realistic, some of it is a little toned-down, but most of it is "true grit" western violence. Some iffy parts would include the scene where a father cuts his son's fingers off and stabs him, hence the bad role models sticker. There's some bad language in many of the scenes as well. Rooster Cogburn is drunk a lot.
However, if you watch the original True Grit with John Wayne, it's gritty with violence as well, and includes the finger cut-off scene. So the Coen Brothers didn't over-do that.
My MPAA rating:
PG-13 for realistic violence throughout, language, and alcohol and tobacco use
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AGE
I thought it was a very good movie although it was very violent. in one part a man gets his fingers cut off. and three men get hung in public. it is a very graphic movie.there were parts where i had to cover my eyes because it was very disturbing, and i don't get disturbed easily. it was a very good action packed movie. i don't recommend it for anyone under the age of 13 and even that age is iffy. i still say you should see it as i think it is a very good movie
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AGE
Good pretty clean movie but some viloence
It was a good movie really the only problem is violence which isn't too bad expect for one scene where a guys fingers get cut off otherwise it's a good movie
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AGE
John Wayne movie
This review is for the original John Wayne version because they don't have it here. If you want to watch this version, watch the original first. It will make this one more enjoyable. I will also be watching this movie when it comes out, so check back later to find out more about it. In the meantime, watch the original. John Wayne is the bomb!
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AGE
Not A Good Movie
This whole movie was about Hailee Steinfeld trying to kill her fathers murder and in one shot he was dead. I think they could have used more action in this movie!
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AGE
Coen Bros new version of John Wayne classic is the BEST film of 2010!
True Grit is a remake of the John Wayne classic is excellent,intense,harsh,and is THE BEST film of 2010! My favorite characters were Matt Damon's LaBeouf and newcomer Hallie Stienfield's Mattie Ross.Jeff Bridges,Matt Damon,and Hailee Steinfield gives their best performances ever! They couldn't do better! This is an intense,violent, truly excellent film that will have LOTS of Oscar nominations.Josh Brolin is too silly to play Tom Chaney(the man who killed Mattie's father),a better actor to play are either Harrison Ford(Indiana Jones films) or Liam Nesson(Taken). This is an exceptionally Ocscar winning film with Oscar winning performances I Love This Film So Much that I am going to give this film an A+! I Love This Film!
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AGE
A little Gritty but great!
We all thought this was a very good movie. The young actress was exceptional and showed her character as very strong-willed and intelligent, though she put herself in danger many times by doing it. It felt very authentic for the era it was set in. Jeff Bridges played Rooster Cogburn the way he was supposed to be-Gritty.There was great comedy with the bantering between all three of the main characters.None of us liked the ending because the movie jumped years ahead, after the action ended, and we wanted a different ending. My daughter didn't like several horses dying and there was some slightly graphic violence during gun fights.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
True Grit
The Coens tackled, yet another, western. It was amazing. Although a little violent for a PG13. Rooster shoots multiple people, LaBouef shoots a few, throughout the movie there are several disturbing corpses and injuries, which is why this was PG13. The 14 year old can make cigarettes, which Rooster smokes. This was overall an amazing movie, though I recommend no squeamish people watch this.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 27, 2011
AGE
watch the old one
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Directors: | Ethan Coen, Joel Coen |
| Cast: | Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, Matt Damon |
| Genre: | Western |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 22, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | June 7, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images |
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