The Assassination Of Jesse James [DVD] [2007]

The moment the soundtrack starts a spell is cast and the viewer is introduced to a "Southern loyalist" and "guerrilla in a civil war that never ended." Thus the viewer is immediately biased in favour of Brad Pitt's Jesse, plus the title attempts to set you against Robert Ford. It's quite amazing that without knowing a thing about Jesse James I always had this vague idea that he was a hero of America, a lion. But this film does not show how the myth was created and how it has endured. It depicts a pressure cooker that was, according to the screenwriter/director, the last months of Jesse's life.Apart from the dreamy soundtrack it is the very strong acting that really hits you when you watch this. Casey Affleck's Robert Ford is just as masterful as Pitt's interpretation of Jesse James. Affleck is many things in his portrayal, creepy, sweet, pitiful, contemplative, stubborn and of course an obsessive. Pitt's performance too shifts and varies, from wildly sociable, to menacingly silent and confessional. At times Jesse is shown as a psychopath his eyes positively shining with evil or madness and at other times, he is totally charming. You almost don't notice the other supporting characters with Pitt and Affleck dominating affairs so much but they all compliment this artistic drama.Jesse James is shown as one of the first ever celebrities, a relic of a more ferocious past known well beyond America by Europeans and proudly declaring that all of America holds him in high regard. Robert Ford is the crazed fan who stalks his idol relentlessly, his love and respect turning to jealousy and bitterness. The irony is that if Jesse treated Robert better none may have been as loyal as him but Jesse is well past his glory days and Robert realises he will never achieve fame through membership to the James Gang. Instant fame can only come through perfidy and bloody murder, a nobody is about to take out one of the most famous men alive. There are definite homoerotic undertones in the film, with Robert watching Jesse wash and Jesse admiring Robert's body as he rests on a bed. There are times when the characters seem to hypnotise each other and they stare deep into the other's eyes. There are prolonged silences and much of the dialogue lyrical. Jesse's murder becomes inevitable, he in fact encourages it and it is the only way Robert can consummate his love for the man he worships. The murder secures Jesse's place in the affections of the people and in history as he makes it appear that Robert was a coward for shooting him when he is not wearing his guns and is facing the other way. He becomes a fallen hero slain by one working for and paid reward money by the US authorities. Robert is not a coward but Jesse makes certain that he will become a hate figure; it is really Jesse James who kills Robert Ford.This soulful movie offers much. It can be watched more than once easily especially because of the beauty of the cinematography and the locations used. Repeated viewings add further meaning to looks and words spoken by the characters. I think that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford will stand the test of time. To describe this as great is too small a word, it is bigger than its sum of parts a bit like Robert Ford's view of Jesse James.

Even if the narrative is all over the shop at times, especially as we pass the hour mark, this is a poetic, elegiac, moody pseudo-western with wonderful performances, beautiful dialogue and some captivating camera work by the one and only Roger Deakins.Andrew Dominik cant help dragging out scenes like he has with his latest Killing Them Softly but his vision and cathartic approach to the story always over-rides any longing of nodding off.The overriding contemporary aspect of the film is the misjudgment and shallowness of celebrity status, as was the case with Jesse James. The real person within is not the person that the public considers him to be. Which makes the ending even more bittersweet and strangely ironic.

Can't praise this film highly enough. Soundtrack, cinematography, acting. It's almost perfect except for the obvious editing of the original version. Casey Afleck is outstanding as are the cast as a whole. Funny, moving, sad, violent as I imagine the real tale was when it played out. Not the usual western but then it isn't a western it's just a lyrical beautifuly handled story.

Until recently, maybe it was just me being forgetful, but i had never even heard of this film, but since it had great reviews, a good cast and very interesting story i thought i would give it a watch. I'm so glad i did, it's outstanding! Yes it might be a tad too long and yes it is slow in places, but overall this has got to be one of the best films I've seen in ages, and i watch a lot of films! I would strongly recommend you watching this film, especially if you like history and old fashioned criminals, it's truly epic.

Some reviews here are much less than kind. Personally I found none of them to be true. The photography is great, the acting is superb, the script is 1st class and it's very true to history - need I say more? I enjoyed it very much. This is a brilliant film and for the money, it cost me 1 penny!, you cant go wrong. Treat yourself, you wont regret it.

Beautifully scored and photographed it entices you into the story. Brad Pitt manages to give a performance of a man unhinged by his own reputation yet still give him a certain vulnerability. Casey Affleck is the assassin finally driven to his act but unable to look his victim in the eye. Not too many of the characters are portrayed with any sympathy but you still manage to care about them.The best western I've seen for a while.

One of the finest films ever made, everyone is on their A game.

Exceptional acting of the principal actors. Unmissable, and the best seen of Brad Pitt who deserves nominating and other actors who deserve acclaim for it