In their determination to craft a true adaptation of Portis’ True Grit, the Coens were adamant that the tome’s distinctive dialogue should remain intact.

“The formality of it and the floweriness of it also is just from the book,” reveals Ethan. “That was the first thing Jeff mentioned, noticed, and liked, the kind of foreign-sounding nature of the dialogue and lack of contractions.

“It wasn't a problem for us. We just lifted it from the book. I don't know how the actors feel about it.” For the Brothers, the dealmaker (or breaker) with regard to the role of young Mattie was always if an actress could handle the tongue-tying dialogue.

Says Joel: “99.9% of the hundreds or thousands of girls that read for this part didn't have the facility. They sort of washed out at the level of not being able to do the language. That was something which was never an issue with Hailee.

“Right from the beginning, it was clear that she was completely comfortable with the language. The language isn't, as everyone's pointed out, our language. That was the threshold level at which you could sort of hope to do the part, but Hailee had it right from the get-go in a very, very natural way.” Time to throw a Ranger into the mix…