The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD: LENGTH DETRACTS FROM FILM
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford precedes itself with its title. It is a long title for a film that is long in duration. It reads to its audience, with the last 45 minutes being the best part. It drags and there is too much back story. It seems that some directors feel the need to make films almost 3 hours long just to make it seem worthwhile. But there is a reason there is no deleted scenes in the special features-nothing was cut out.
Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) idolizes Jesse James (Brad Pitt). His brother Charley Ford (Sam Rockwell) is part of his gang. Jesse’s brother Frank (Sam Shephard) doesn’t like Robert. But Robert becomes a part of the gang anyways after he participates in a train robbery with the gang. Robert is constantly teased by the men. When one of the other men, Dick Liddil (Paul Schneider), gets into an argument with Jesse’s cousin, Robert defends him. Jesse’s cousin gets killed. The men try to keep the secret from Jesse. Jesse asks Charley to participate in a bank robbery. Charley asks if Robert can tag along. Jesse starts to become paranoid and doesn’t trust Charley or Robert. This all comes to a head.
The story is way too long. I have seen turtles move faster. About an hour could have been taken out. But the narration of the movie is unique and comforting as if you are being read to in front of a roaring fire in a wood cabin. You also come to see that the title of the movie is misleading. You start to see that Robert Ford is not a coward and that Jesse James becomes crazy. The whole cast is great. Brad Pitt is weary and unreasonable as Jesse James. Casey Affleck is great as Robert Ford. He starts off creepy, becomes childlike, and then grows into a man after he murders Jesse. Up and comer Paul Schneider (The Family Stone) is a standout as the lecherous Dick Liddil. Mary Louise Parker is lost as Jesse’s wife Zee. She has a minimal amount of lines and is basically a wallflower. The tunnel vision-like camera shots used are unique. Canada provides the sprawling landscape for this western.
It would have made for a more interesting movie if it had been shortened. It wouldn’t have taken anything from the story if some of the scenes with Jesse and his gang were edited.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford provides an insightful look into the legend that is Jesse James and his men. But maybe it is a little too much insight. The cast is filled with class acts. This is a Western that shows a different side to the cowboy Jesse James.
Report Card:
Story-B
Acting-B+
Visuals-B
Originality/Innovation-B
Enjoyability Grade–B-
DVD Extras-N/A
Overall Grade-B
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