Rent The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Stylish, Powerful and Chilling - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford review by CP Customer

Jessie James even today remains a hero to some, while Robert Ford lives on as the coward. While the ending of this film comes as no surprise given that the legend of James grows. The journey itself is remarkable. How James dominated his gang with ruthless efficiency and yet managed to separate his role as a loving father with chilling ease is haunting. Brad Pitt is excellent here, a towering physical performance combined with great poise. However it is Casey Affleck that steals the show with his depiction of Robert Ford, confirming his talent. The film experience may be slow and methodical yet I found it to be an enchanting experience. One of the best films of its year for sure!

Long, excellent character drama rather than a Western. Highly recommended. - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford review by RP

There have been many films about Jesse James, many eulogising him as a sort of 'Robin Hood' character. There are popular songs about him [Aside: one of which is included near the end of this film, performed by Nick Cave]. If you want to know more about Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang, Wikipedia has lots of info.

The film tells the story of the end of the James brothers' long criminal career as Jesse descends into distrust and perhaps paranoia, trusting only the Ford brothers Charley and Robert. Unfortunately his trust is misplaced, as having already shot and/or betrayed other gang members, Robert Ford shoots Jesse in his own home.

'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' is an excellent film which I enjoyed very much. The photography is excellent, the acting by Brad Pitt (as Jesse James) and by Casey Affleck (as Robert Ford) is excellent, and the directorial device of using a semi-documentary style with narration (often a lazy way of telling a story) works well here.

It's a long film at over 2½ hours but it held my interest throughout and I believe it needed that length to do the subject justice - it's more of a character drama than a Western.

Jesse is portrayed as a ruthless, violent criminal, albeit somewhat charming, rather than as Robin Hood. Robert Ford is portrayed as a naive teenager hero-worshipping the James outlaws from afar, then wheedling his way into the gang, becoming disillusioned, then betraying them. Also shown is the Ford brothers cashing in on their notoriety by way of a travelling stage show, through to Robert Ford's own assassination. And it's the length of the film which allows this lengthy tale to be properly told, rather than scrimped.

Excellent stuff. 5/5 stars - highly recommended.

Slow - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford review by CP Customer

Got bored and turned it off after about an hour. No awful, just slow.

Masterpiece - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford review by GI

What appears to be a cumbersome title actually reflects the type of title that the dime novels of the American 1880s often used and identifies how this film is to be seen. The name Jesse James will conjure up recollections of outlaw westerns whereas this film is more accurately a historical drama more like a period film. It is a real masterpiece. Filmed and constructed like an epic poem it is both visually beautiful and a striking character study with two flawless central performances from Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. It tells the story starting with the infamous Blue Cut train robbery in Missouri carried out by Jesse James (Pitt) and his older brother Frank (Sam Shepard) who have gathered a motley bunch of relations and local drifters into a gang including Bob Ford (Affleck), who idolises Jesse, and his brother Charlie (Sam Rockwell). After the crime the gang is dispersed but Jesse, increasingly paranoid, begins to visit each of them to see who has remained loyal. Affleck plays Ford as a snivelling wannabe and Pitt is menacing, enigmatic and riveting as the sociopathic Jesse. Director Andrew Dominik films this as a mix of myth, legend and history often depicting scenes through blurry windows to simulate vagueness almost like a dreamworld. There is sudden and realistic violence too but this is a film about a time, about a story and how it becomes confused and mysterious. It's also a story of friendship, disloyalty and hero worship. It maybe a little slow for anyone who just wants action but this is a remarkable piece of cinema and deserves to be seen for what it is. A genuinely clever, stylish and quite compelling drama. The support cast are all on top form and include Jeremy Renner, Mary Louise Parker and Zooey Deschanel and the soundtrack is by Nick Cave. This is a really special film and well worth your time if you've never seen it.