Jeff Bridges was just so much better than John Wayne.
John Wayne is one of those actors, imho, who the more I watch him, the less I like him. I mean, I don't dislike him, but he gets away with his acting because he's John Wayne and he's John Wayne in everything. I dunno if it's even acting.
Jeff Bridges, otoh, was amazing, nuanced and was both relatable and mysterious at the same time.
To me, the only contest is between Kim Darby and Hailee Steinfeld. That's a lot closer, but I think Kim Darby did a better job over all. Hailee Steinfeld just seemed miscast. Where Kim Darby showed pluck and True Grit (roll credits), Hailee Steinfeld seemed to me to be on the whiny and impetuous side. Her performance, imho, wasn't bad, but it wasn't better than Kim Darby's.
I say miscast because a young woman CAN be that strong, resilient lead. Case in point: Winter's Bone with Jennifer Lawrence. Holy Cow was she amazing in that. One of the best performances I'd seen in movies in a really long time...by anyone.
Jeff Bridges was just so much better (and I actually like John Wayne in this better than any other of his films) that they win, imho.
