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Plot:
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad...( read more 
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MCT:August 20, 2008THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2007)
starring Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Rockwell
directed by Andrew DominikFrank James: «You're not so special, Mr. Ford. You're just like any other tyro who's prinked himself up for an escapade, hoping to be a gunslinger like them nickel books are about. You may as well quench your mind of it, because you don't have the ingredients, son.»
Robert Ford: «Well, I'm sorry to hear you feel that way, as I put such stock in your opinion. As for me being a gunslinger, I've just got this one granddaddy Paterson Colt and a borrowed belt to stick it in. But I also got an appetite for greater things. I hoped by joining up with you, it'd put me that much closer to getting them.»The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a fascinating and engrossing tale of obssession, friendship and betrayal. It presents Jesse James as the man he really was but also hints his mythical status as well a showing his downfall into madness. The film is a study of characters, describing how the young Robert Ford went from being an admirer of James to ending up murdering him, afraid of being killed himself, and then, much like Jesse James, his fall into madness.Andrew Dominik directs his film with a confident slow pace and precise shots. Roger Deakins cinematography is simply beautiful, every shots looks like a beautiful painting. There isnt much action in Jesse James but the characters are well-drawn and the dialogues are filled with wisdom and there is some kind of poetry to it. A narrator gives us historical insights along the way and its always useful or simply captivating to understand the events behind the legend, all of it punctuated with an amazing score.
Brad Pitt is mesmerizing as Jesse James, palying with a strong accent and walking with confidence on the thin line that makes his character both a real human being that existed but also the legend that was later misrepresented in movies and pulp magazines. Casey Affleck is extremely effective as the young Robert Ford, proving that he's got what it takes to be an A-list actor in Hollywood. Sam Rockwell gives yet another quirky performance, perfectly suiting his character, carrying the right amount of emotions and depth.
The Assassination of Jesse James isnt a film to please everyone, but whoever likes slow-paced film or beautiful imagery should find his due watching it. Its a strong effort, that despite of it all, doesnt really suit the western genre.
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MCT:August 20, 2008"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad Pitt) plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money ? and the glory ? riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most.*
The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford Follows An Ambitious 19 Year Old Who Befriends The Nations Most Notorious Criminal And Rides With His Gang, Till The Day He Kills Him. The Assassination of Jesse James Is A Classic Film And The Finest Western I Have Ever Seen. Andrew Dominik Has Crafted A Masterwork. Few Films Are As Compelling And Well Made As This One. Brad Pitt Is Incredible Here, And Casey Affleck Is Extraordinary. Affleck Is The Show-Stealer, And Sam Rockwell Makes A Nice Appearance Here As Well. This Film Is One of The Most Impressive And Powerful Films Ive Seen In A Long While. A Stunning Work of Art. Brilliantly Made And Superbly Crafted.*
"He was ashamed of his persiflage, his boasting, his pretensions of courage and ruthlessness; he was sorry about his cold-bloodedness, his dispassion, his inability to express what he now believed was the case- that he truly regretted killing Jesse, that he missed the man as much as anybody and wished his murder hadn't been necessary. Even as he circulated his saloon he knew that the smiles disappeared when he passed by. He received so many menacing letters that he could read them without any reaction except curiosity. He kept to his apartment all day, flipping over playing cards, looking at his destiny in every King and Jack. Edward O'Kelly came up from Bachelor at one P.M. on the 8th. He had no grand scheme. No strategy. No agreement with higher authorities. Nothing but a vague longing for glory, and a generalized wish for revenge against Robert Ford. Edward O'Kelly would be ordered to serve a life sentence in the Colorado Penitentiary for second degree murder. Over seven thousand signatures would eventually be gathered in a petition asking for O'Kelly's release, and in 1902, Governor James B. Ullman would pardon the man. There would be no eulogies for Bob, no photographs of his body would be sold in sundries stores, no people would crowd the streets in the rain to see his funeral cortege, no biographies would be written about him, no children named after him, no one would ever pay twenty-five cents to stand in the rooms he grew up in. The shotgun would ignite, and Ella Mae would scream, but Robert Ford would only lay on the floor and look at the ceiling, the light going out of his eyes before he could find the right words."*
"The day before he died was Palm Sunday. And Mr. and Mrs. Howard, their two children and their cousin Charles Johnson strolled to the second Presbyterian Church to attend the 10:00 service. Bob remained at the cottage and slyly migrated from room to room. He walked into the Master bedroom and inventoried the clothes on the hangers and hooks. He sipped from the water glass on the vanity. He smelled the talcum and lilacs on Jesse's pillowcase. His fingers skittered over his ribs to construe the scars where Jesse was twice shot. He manufactured a middle finger that was missing the top two knuckles. He imagined himself at 34. He imagined himself in a coffin. He considered possibilities and everything wonderful that could come true."*
Andrew Dominik Is A Cinematic Genius. The Assassination of Jesse James Is A Film That Will Stay With You Long After Its Over. Exceptional And Extraordinary In Every Way Imaginable. A Compelling, Mesmerizing, And Spellbinding Experience. No Words of Mine Can Describe How Amazing This Film Really Is. Brad Pitt And Casey Affleck Are Beyond Incredible. Their Performances Are Truly Exceptional. This Film Is A Classic. A Perfect Example of Truly Flawless FilmMaking. I Rarely See A Film This Well Made. A Phenomenal, Incredible Achievement. I Love It. A Flawless Film... -
MCT:August 18, 2008
I loved this movie and i think jesse james was an amazing person. too bad he died in such a sick fasion....>< i hate you robert ford
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MCT:August 17, 2008
This was quite a well made film with some kick ass performances by Brad Pitt and honeys, mary louise-Parker and Zoey Deschel oh and fucking Nick Cave makes a cameo and plays the score
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MCT:August 17, 2008
if it weren't for the last 45 minutes, this film probably would've been given one star. casey affleck was f*ckin creepy.
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MCT:August 17, 2008Very, very impressive. Casey Affleck was brilliant as the 'coward' Robert Ford. Goodness. I felt absolutely terrible for his character and just came away feeling quite angry. The other actors were good, too. I'm afraid my words do no justice. Go watch it.
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MCT:August 15, 2008
"Yeah, just ain't no peace with old Jesse around. You ought to pity my poor wife."
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an eloquently artistic, poignant portrait and eulogy of the notorious 19th century American outlaw, Jesse James. The film bears an extraordinarily (and unnecessarily) long title, much like the picture it has been slapped on. This grandiose piece of filmmaking clocks at approximately 150 minutes. It's a grand achievement in contemporary filmmaking that merges visual artistry with historical storytelling.
Director Andrew Dominik is no foreigner to films that depict iconic thugs, as his previous directorial outing was the Australian film Chopper. Dominik adopts an expressive approach with this production, essentially mirroring the works of Terrence Malick who's recognised for films such as The New World and The Thin Red Line. Dominik (who adapted the screenplay from Ron Hansen's book) and his director of photography Roger Deakins have consciously striven to accentuate aesthetics, character relationships, atmosphere and tone over pure action. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford desires for its audience to witness and admire the mood, the panorama and the scenery, all whilst you cogitate on the vagaries of the dialogue.
If you're searching for a definitive classification of "post-production hell", then Dominik's The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford wears it with aplomb. The movie wasn't finally released until roughly 2 years after filming concluded. No studio agreed to fund the film's worldwide release as they weren't confident it was going to generate much of a box office return. Studios feared the film's running time was not going to please a mainstream audience. Dominik's original cut wore a running time of almost 4 hours. Preceding the film's eventual release, years passed by as people were hired to trim the film down to a more serviceable length. The concerns, the reasoning behind delay and the decision to only grant the film a limited release is understandable. The studio pushed for more action as only one robbery was depicted; however it was Dominik's intention to explore the philosophy behind the characters with dialogue as opposed to action.
In the long run, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a magnificently filmed picture, and it articulates a meticulous and edifying story. The film works hard in bequeathing accurate insight into both the mindset and the multi-faceted existence of the legendary outlaw. The film illustrates the duality of Jesse James' character: he was a family man who used an alias around his family, but was a psychotic bandit who slaughtered without remorse and made his living by robbing trains and banks with his loyal gang. The timidity and paranoia that surrounded Jesse James is elucidated in a protracted and prolonged manner. A mainstream Hollywood audience would yearn for action and more robberies to unfold, but the majority of this 150-minute production delves into the psychological facets of Jesse James and his killer Robert Ford. That said, the film's highest point is the initial train robbery. It's an artistic achievement boasting expressive angles, crisp complexion and a fantastic use of lighting. Perhaps more of Jesse's robberies scattered throughout the film could have guaranteed stronger viewing.
The tale commences on September 7th, 1881, just before the James boys staged their final railroad hold-up. At this time Jesse James (Pitt) was 34 years of age, and it was one year before Robert Ford would gun him down in a famous act of cowardice. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford chronicles the final year of Jesse James as we deeply examine his increasing paranoia and reluctance to trust even his closest comrades in fear they would kill him for the reward money and the glory. Robert Ford (Affleck) idolised Jesse James in his early youth, and desires to join the James gang to become a somebody. As the months pass by and Jesse grows increasingly paranoid, Robert Ford becomes resentful of the Missouri outlaw. Moreover, Ford believes his days are limited and that Jesse would soon shoot him. These facts become the motivation for Ford to pull the trigger on a man he once revered.
The critical reception for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was a mixed bag. Only a selected few could recognise the sheer brilliance underneath a cloak of visually striking images. The film isn't anything further than a unique visual splendour: the exquisite photography impeccably captures the breathtaking locations and sets. Several particular shots continue to haunt me due to the framing. One such instance is Jesse James appearing out of a cloud of smoke. I remember seeing this shot in the trailer back in 2006. Two years on, and it stuck in my mind when I finally watched the film. This is a testament to the wonderful filmmaking being offered.
The music is also evocative and memorable. There are various particular segments of music (composed by Nick Cave) that are repeated at different times. The music is perfect...an intriguing creation to perfectly compliment the photography.
The film's title could easily have been trimmed down to half its length. Coincidentally, the same can be said about the film itself. This only provides the definitive history of Jesse James in his final year. However the narrative grows too convoluted and the dialogue too stilted. While the visuals are striking and the acting stellar, several scenes appear unnecessary and out of place. Much of this Jesse James saga never adds to the story being told. The film could have worked had it not been so long. At the end of the day, 95% of it is talk. Certainly, there are a few remarkable conversations, the landscape is elegant and the silences are telling. But ultimately, we're left with the feeling that the filmmakers have spent a dreadfully long time telling a straightforward and proverbial tale, offering few or no groundbreaking insights. And furthermore, the final 30 minutes appear to be milking the plot as Robert Ford boasts about the assassination. Most of this should have been removed as things grow tedious and boring.
The cast deserve lauding of the highest honour for their delicate portrayals. Brad Pitt is absolutely sensational as the title's namesake. Pitt gives the character everything he can, but could have been far better had the script allowed him something more to say. The script offers nothing but excessive character banter, and the narrative should have been far more succinct.
Casey Affleck is nothing short of amazing. With fantastic performances like this, it's a wonder why his brother Ben is more well-known. Casey Affleck's character is young, naïve and displays a clear-cut traitorous side where he is completely intent on becoming his own celebrity. Affleck demonstrates intelligence in his portrayal as Ford as well as a deep emotional side that was essential for the film's success.
Sam Shepard is amazing, as is Sam Rockwell and the rest of the supporting cast. If there's one compelling reason to view this film, it's for the performances from the entire cast.
Overall, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an essential contemporary masterpiece. The film feels like a history lesson with magnificent paintings telling the tale. Jesse James was an inimitable personality and one of the legends of American history. This movie paints a faithful story of James' undoing, and final days. It also supplies the reasoning why he was assassinated by an individual whom he considered a friend. Both Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck put forth excellent performances that denote the high water mark of this film. The film is a leisurely paced, ponderous Western that occasionally transcends its gawky determinations to create memorable cinema. Perhaps with a more concise running time or reasoning for its length, this majestic film could have been further improved. -
MCT:August 15, 2008
The photography it's mournful...the charachters are so deep and well represented that I found myself totally absorbed.I also saw other films on Jesse James,but none of those dealt with psychology...it's a bit challenging to follow the different charachters and the story,beacause the action is really dilated, but in the end it's truly fulfilling.
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MCT:August 15, 2008A very long and expansive look at both Robert Ford and Jesse James trying to get at the point why they are so polar opposite in the public's reaction to their deaths. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck were quite good, but the film goes on much too long, incorporating beautiful scenery, but lacking a solid story to support the length.
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MCT:August 15, 2008
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad Pitt) plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money - and the glory - riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most. This film should of been made better than this but it was still good. Great acting by Drad Pitt and Casey Affleck. This is one of 2007's best western films. Although this film was good, it was a bit slow, and their was a bit too much talking involved and needed a bit more action scenes in it. Great directing by Andrew Dominik. Not Brad Pitt's best performance yet but it was still good. This film should have been made better than it turned out to be.
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MCT:August 14, 2008
"the assassination of jesse james by the coward robert ford" is the second cinematic portrait of jesse james by brad pitt after tyrone power took its first helm in late 1930s. pitt's incarnation is apparently roguish to live up to the legendary outlaw's notorious insolence. but the story is not really about jesse james but the coward robert ford's obssessive crush on him. what marvels in "jesse james" is its contrary iconclast to the archetype of western movies.
first of all, westerns usually depicts heoric bravery. however, pitt's jesse james is nothing chivalric but an introvertly hollow man who is secretly weary of his career of crimes, laughing away the asurdity of his revered notoriety. second of all, the story is more on the coward's psychological progression into assissanation than the outlaw's inward state of mind. third of all, the flick has a slumbering pace in the massive pasture with a bunch of boorish men chattering on trivia and profanity. no urgent horse rides while villains emulates each other gallantly to strive for a surviving break. it indulges the audience with some leisure time to observe the starry sky and the grandeur meadow while some hidden dynamite peeps thru jesse james with prophetic perversion while robert ford's fascination with james grows lethal.
most of all, in a testerone-driven gendre as the western, homosexual undertone simmers beneath it as robert ford privately tucks himself into jesse james' clothes, imagining himself as james as if he wanna evaporate right under james' skin, a symbolic form of onanistic lovemaking. then he shot james in the back, privately taking pride in his assassination, brazenly repeating that act in theater as if he wanna violate james over and over, another metaphor of mental necrophilia. it's like demonstrating, if i cannot have you as my own, i would destroy you then trespass you afterwards. besides, in the assassination scene, jesse james seems to have a foresight that he's gonna get killed but clandestinely awaiting it as if he wishes to die.
it is human nature to be drawed by darkness, particularly when it lurks beneath. "the assassination of jesse james by the coward robert ford" (what a draggy title) has a macabrely lyrical music tone on a wildly barren field under the wide sky which is so bulky that you're gonna be lost in it, then you turn around, some un-detected menace get you from behind. -
MCT:August 14, 2008
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is 2007s best western.
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and also this film has great performances by Brad Pitt and also Casey Affleck and this is a great film from director Andrew Dominik. -
MCT:August 12, 2008
You will be taken to another time and another place while watching this film. It is about Robert Ford, one of the most hated men in history. However, this film gives you an interesting perspective on the life of Jesse Jame's killer. The acting, especially by Casey Affleck, is chilling. I felt such empathy from his performance. The cinematography is beautiful and the story sticks with you after you've finished viewing the film.
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MCT:August 12, 2008
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford is a bit of a mouthful, but it's titled perfectly. The script is extremely literary and the title is deeply ironic and highlights the fact that real life bears little resemblance to the simplistic interpretation of events that "legends" present. In fact it was Ford's disillusionment in his dealings with the man compared to his childhood hero worship that probably contributed greatly to the resulting killing; that and his own wish to be revered as a "hero" himself. The cinematography is simply beautiful, the film resembling a period photograph come to life. The train robbery scene is one of the most visually stunning pieces of cinema I've ever seen. The performances are also top notch, particularly Brad Pitt whose intense and intimidating interpretation of James once again proves that given quality material he can more than deliver the goods. True, it's rather slow moving and talky, but as such it's a completely different take on one of the most oft filmed stories in cinema, and also one of the best.
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MCT:August 11, 2008
Beautifully shot, beautifully acted, the movies portrayal of idolization betrayed is in the top rank of Western movies.
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MCT:August 10, 2008
Good acting and it was very interesting. However it was very slow. I need to watch this again sometime.
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MCT:August 10, 2008
One word to describe this movie would be beautiful. And that's an understatement. With stellar performances mixed with a moving soundtrack and beautiful screenplay, this movie is nothing short of Oscar-worthy. Brad Pitt's performance as Jesse James was surprisingly deep and haunting, but Casey Affleck takes the cake with his creepy yet endearing performance as the "coward" Robert Ford. Te score is beautifully done and fits the movie perfectly. The entire movie is long and moves at a slow pace, making for each scene a penetrating, meaningful moment. I am not a big fan of westerns, but The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford really drew me into the storyline and the complex relationship between the two outlaws.
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MCT:August 9, 2008
Rooms seemed hotter when he was in them. Rains fell straighter. Clocks slowed. Sounds were amplified. He considered himself a Southern loyalist and guerrilla in a Civil War that never ended. He regretted neither his robberies, nor the seventeen murders that he laid claim to. He had seen another summer under in Kansas City, Missouri and on September 5th in the year 1881, he was thirty-four-years-old.
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MCT:August 9, 2008
Overstuffed to be sure. But incredibly mirthful and complex, with sections that play better than anything I've seen this year
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MCT:August 3, 2008
One of the most underrated movies I've seen. In the end, an convincing character study of a legendary outlaw and his "cowardly" assassin. The rug is slowly but surely pulled out from under our feet, as (in this telling anyway) neither man turns out to be much like his reputation. The best western I've seen since...some time before Unforgiven and a brief substitute for those missing Deadwood on TV.
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MCT:July 31, 2008
Ironic story about a man who idolized somebody then started to become more obsess. Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt really did a nice job. However, the pace was really slow (almost 3 hrs) but I didn't get bored at all. Very memorable.
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MCT:July 29, 2008It's a bit jumbled in the beginning. The direction of the film feels artsy. The film felt so long and seemed like it had nothing else to say. The other characters we travel through aren't as interesting as Robert Ford(Affleck). Affleck gives a strong performance as Ford and I was glad to see him on screen.
+There's a nice cameo by Nick Cave. It was nice to see. -
MCT:July 29, 2008
As a character study it's flawless, and as an examination of western clichés it's fascinating. I really can't fault this at all. The only problems I had were with the plotting/editing (which is entirely the stupid studio's fault, I mean, what's wrong with a four hour movie, as long as it tells a competent story?), and the narrator's voice rubbed me up the wrong way (the writing itself is beautiful, I just wasn't convinced by the delivery). That's nitpicking though. It's fucking gorgeous.
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MCT:July 28, 2008
an utterly gorgeous looking film; the train robbery scene in particular. Pitt gives good enigma but it's Affleck - creeping and petulant - who you'll be watching. it's long but makes use of the running time: the latter years of Robert Ford are as interesting as those leading up to his moment of infamy.
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Comments
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gyvetteposted 173 days ago -
Considering who jesse james was, what he did, then it's apparent that he was the coward and Robert Ford was an honorable man! I hope this movie doesn't turn into a revisionist history piece of garbage.
I hate brad pitt! Why did they choose him for this roll? He is so damned overated!posted 180 days ago -
I thought this film was good, but a bit lengthy. It was however a beautiful film, and a fantastic character study.
http://www.dvd-dweeb.com/reviews/review-the-assasination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-fordposted 196 days ago -
A wonderful art Western that strolls leisurely to its inevitable outcome, as the title suggests. When Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), joins the infamous James gang, we know that he will one day kill one of the most infamous criminals of the 19th century, Jesse James (Brad Pitt). The film fills in the details, showing us the reasons why Robert Ford did what he did on that significant day. Director Andrew Dominik's take on history has a homoerotic subtext suggesting Ford killed what he couldn't have. Pitt is understated and intimidating as Jesse James and Affleck is perfect as Ford, an annoying celebrity obsessed boy. A daring script, excellent performances and spectacular photography make this film a work of art.
posted 286 days ago -
Considering who jesse james was, what he did, then it's apparent that he was the coward and Robert Ford was an honorable man! I hope this movie doesn't turn into a revisionist history piece of garbage.
I hate brad pitt! Why did they choose him for this roll? He is so damned overated!posted 322 days ago -
i saw da trailors n since den i juz cant wait 2 c dis movie...by da luk of it Brad has put his heart in2 dis movie n hopefully it wil NOT b disopointing 4 da fans...u Go Brad keep doin good movies :)
posted 351 days ago -
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