True Grit

I find the True Grit really hit the mark when it comes to American greed and instinct. It addresses the greed of man when it focuses on Chaney, the outlaw who killed Mattie's father along with other illegal actions. He's a man who drinks and spends his money on what he wants at the moment, things that don't often matter. When he and Mattie's father, Frank, are at an impasse, he simply murders him and takes anything valuable off the body before fleeing. He lives well up to the stereotype of an American outlaw, down to the point. In the end even when he's been beaten and hurt, instead of sucking up his pride he instead laughs at Mattie's misfortune and his own victory of taking out Lebouf. Of course it's short lived when Rooster takes him out. 

Rooster is sort of between greed and values. He cares about Mattie in a way, enough to humor her endevours of joining their manhunt enough to believe she earned to join them. Of course he's still a drunk, he draws his gun before much of a thought which can be easily looked down upon. Yet he does develop almost a fatherly instinct for Mattie. He joins the hunt because of various reward offers, in the end he finished off Chaney more for Mattie than the money. 

Mattie is absolutely wonderful to me. She's driven by the grief of losing her father to this man who they had given a job out of pity no less. She's striving in a time where women don't get the right or credit they deserve, but it doesn't stop her from going after what she wants. She's constantly belittled and put down but it does little to her spirit, which I find highly respectable. Because of the time period she does have almost a childish attitude and a sense of damsel in distress at times, but she's tough and driven. Maybe it's revenge for her father or a craving for justice, but she's admirable. Her values are real and she simply cannot be swayed.