Gritty Reality Hints at True Hope
“You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another… there is nothing free except the grace of God.”
Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, a 14-year-old farm girl sets out to capture the killer and hires Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn, the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, known as a man with “True Grit.”
The question is, however: what IS true grit? Who in the film truly evinces this? What do we REALLY need to secure justice, or to show grace, and does the film leave us in a place of hope or despair for achieving either in this life? This incredible, well-received film depicts the harsh realities of life with a few hopeful hints toward the everlasting arms that can sustain us, and it was my pleasure to unpack this at a live, crowded family film and theology event.
Audio from the teaching portion is now available, though it assumes you’ve watched the film and does contain spoilers.
OWN THE FILM on Blu-ray
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