No one but John Wayne could have played 'Rooster' Cogburn, a drunken, murderous, and thieving deputy U.S. marshal and made him so thoroughly likable.
It's a Duke thing. If you've never seen a John Wayne film, DON'T make this your first. 'True Grit' is a later film that requires some familiarity with the star's earlier work for the full appreciation. Much like Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven,' 'True Grit' allows the long time fan to enjoy an older, more seasoned version of the western archetype of countless other pictures. 'The Searchers' or 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' should be considered pre-requisites.
It's a Duke thing. If you've never seen a John Wayne film, DON'T make this your first. 'True Grit' is a later film that requires some familiarity with the star's earlier work for the full appreciation. Much like Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven,' 'True Grit' allows the long time fan to enjoy an older, more seasoned version of the western archetype of countless other pictures. 'The Searchers' or 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' should be considered pre-requisites.