The Assassination of Jesse James
(A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' is a psychological Western directed by Andrew Dominik. Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) is desperate to join James' (Brad Pitt) gang. Initially, Jesse just figured Robert to be a kid who idolizes him. Little does he know (or maybe he DID) that this one-time fan would become a resentful, murderous foe. Jesse James is one of the most fascinatingly hated, yet oddly revered anti-heroes in America's history. And not everyone was happy that Ford stopped the thievish killer. This film delves into the private lives of Jesse, Ford, and the people who comprised their lives over a 7 month period. Most aspects of this movie are earth-shatteringly fantastic. Though, at 155 minutes in running time, this film really is about 20 min. too long.
Sept. 7, 1881: A voiceover narrative (a technique that is used intelligently through the film) informs us that Jesse, his older brother (Sam Shepard), their diminishing gang, & recent newcomer, 'Bob' Ford, embark on what would be their last act of crime ... the infamous Blue Cut Train Robbery. Bob is initially turned down (to enter the gang) by Jesse's brother, "You don't have the ingredients, son". Nevertheless, he somehow earns Jesse's trust & becomes a creepy, meandering family friend, so to speak. The rest of the film plays out with the outer bands of Jesse's gang starting to turn on him. Jesse is privy to this & becomes increasingly neurotic around each & every one of them. The film then turns into a character-driven account of EVERY person involved with Jesse (not just him & Ford).
A good 50 min. is spent on scenes where we learn more about Ford's brother (Sam Rockwell); the death surrounding Jesse's cousin, Wood (Jeremy Renner); a horrible secret kept by Ed Miller (Garret Dillahunt); a womanizing traitor, Dick Liddil (Paul Schneider); and all ensuing subplots that lead to Jesse's slow demise. I was into most of these side stories. The performances are excellent. But in hindsight, there wasn't a great need to have all these subplots floating around in a borderline-tedious midsection of the film. J.J. is such an enigma: charismatic, misunderstood, but also unpredictable, unforgivable, menacing & deadly. The midsection IS set-up so that James can wage war on the guys who betray him ...but the set-up became ponderous.
I like the supporting characters, but their development is a bit uneven. Once we get back to Jesse & the fateful day when he's shot in the back while dusting a wall picture, the wonderful, nervous intensity of the film returns with a bang. But then after the climax, the film continues for 20 more min. as a sort of epilogue (the public praises Ford for his heroics, then turns on him when the story becomes old. He, himself, is eventually assassinated). Critic Jack Matthews wrote in his review that he thinks the insightful epilogue might have worked better as a prologue ... and I couldn't agree more. Still, while some scenes are repetitive, and inconsistencies in character development/plot execution mar the film, there are SO many impressive aspects to mention.
Pitt lends a spiritual, world-weary take on Jesse. And Casey Affleck is exceptional as the unsettling, skittish Robert (he excels in a scene before Jesse's death when he exits the kitchen table). Robert initially worshipped Jesse, but grew jealous of his fame & wished to 'acquire' that fame by killing him for the feds ... bad idea. The cinematography is astounding; having been completely immersed in the barren landscapes & interesting camera techniques (blurring the edges to create an eeriness). One of my favorite scenes is the opening sequence (cloth-masked robbers wait for the train in the shadowy woods). The sets are beautifully stark. And the haunting, edgy music kept me uneasy from the get-go. 'The Assass. of JJ' is a long, dark, but gorgeous, well-acted case study on 'fame/infamy'. I was immersed in every detail; every word; every gesture. It just takes it's time giving us the full spectrum.
Sept. 7, 1881: A voiceover narrative (a technique that is used intelligently through the film) informs us that Jesse, his older brother (Sam Shepard), their diminishing gang, & recent newcomer, 'Bob' Ford, embark on what would be their last act of crime ... the infamous Blue Cut Train Robbery. Bob is initially turned down (to enter the gang) by Jesse's brother, "You don't have the ingredients, son". Nevertheless, he somehow earns Jesse's trust & becomes a creepy, meandering family friend, so to speak. The rest of the film plays out with the outer bands of Jesse's gang starting to turn on him. Jesse is privy to this & becomes increasingly neurotic around each & every one of them. The film then turns into a character-driven account of EVERY person involved with Jesse (not just him & Ford).
A good 50 min. is spent on scenes where we learn more about Ford's brother (Sam Rockwell); the death surrounding Jesse's cousin, Wood (Jeremy Renner); a horrible secret kept by Ed Miller (Garret Dillahunt); a womanizing traitor, Dick Liddil (Paul Schneider); and all ensuing subplots that lead to Jesse's slow demise. I was into most of these side stories. The performances are excellent. But in hindsight, there wasn't a great need to have all these subplots floating around in a borderline-tedious midsection of the film. J.J. is such an enigma: charismatic, misunderstood, but also unpredictable, unforgivable, menacing & deadly. The midsection IS set-up so that James can wage war on the guys who betray him ...but the set-up became ponderous.
I like the supporting characters, but their development is a bit uneven. Once we get back to Jesse & the fateful day when he's shot in the back while dusting a wall picture, the wonderful, nervous intensity of the film returns with a bang. But then after the climax, the film continues for 20 more min. as a sort of epilogue (the public praises Ford for his heroics, then turns on him when the story becomes old. He, himself, is eventually assassinated). Critic Jack Matthews wrote in his review that he thinks the insightful epilogue might have worked better as a prologue ... and I couldn't agree more. Still, while some scenes are repetitive, and inconsistencies in character development/plot execution mar the film, there are SO many impressive aspects to mention.
Pitt lends a spiritual, world-weary take on Jesse. And Casey Affleck is exceptional as the unsettling, skittish Robert (he excels in a scene before Jesse's death when he exits the kitchen table). Robert initially worshipped Jesse, but grew jealous of his fame & wished to 'acquire' that fame by killing him for the feds ... bad idea. The cinematography is astounding; having been completely immersed in the barren landscapes & interesting camera techniques (blurring the edges to create an eeriness). One of my favorite scenes is the opening sequence (cloth-masked robbers wait for the train in the shadowy woods). The sets are beautifully stark. And the haunting, edgy music kept me uneasy from the get-go. 'The Assass. of JJ' is a long, dark, but gorgeous, well-acted case study on 'fame/infamy'. I was immersed in every detail; every word; every gesture. It just takes it's time giving us the full spectrum.