True Grit Preview/Synopsis

December 22

Written, directed and edited by Oscar winners Joel and Ethan Coen ( Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Burn After Reading ) starring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Bruce Green, Domhnall Gleeson, Paul Rae. Cinematography by multiple Oscar nominee Roger Deakins ( Fargo, No Country For Old Men ) Original music by Carter Burwell ( The Alamo, Fargo )

Premise: More faithful to the Charles Portis novel than the John Wayne 1969 film, the story tells the tale of fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross's (Hailee Steinfeld) father has been shot in cold blood by the coward Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), and she is determined to bring him to justice. Enlisting the help of a trigger-happy, drunken U.S. Marshal, Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), she sets out with him -- over his objections -- to hunt down Chaney. Her father's blood demands that she pursue the criminal into Indian territory and find him before a Texas Ranger named LeBoeuf (Matt Damon) catches him and brings him back to Texas for the murder of another man.

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of Western violence and disturbing images.

Oscar chances ? Very good. Possibly could garner upwards to nine, but most likely locked for picture, supporting actress, adapted screenplay, cinematography, art direction, costumes, makeup and score. Outside chance for the Coen brothers snagging a directors nomination as well. It's going to get a lot of nominations.