The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
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.
Based on the novel by Robert Hansen.
Member Reviews
3 times extra good - cassiopee216
Absolutely spellbinding. An endlessly interesting character study that's flawlessly written and directed. Casey Affleck delivers in this career-defining role, and both he and Brad Pitt give two of the most complex performances I've ever seen in cinema. I understand that this film will actually bore many people. It is described as a western but it is an artistic western. It is about the film-making; the story; the characters, and not about the all so cliched shoot-em-ups and explosions you see in old westerns. If you can handle art, and steer away from action for just a little bit, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" will truly move you if you can view this in the correct context. If historical accuracy means anything to you, this is THE film to watchGreat for some, but not for everyone. - SBM7
Excellent performances by Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck and Sam Rockwell as well as Jeremy Renner in a smaller role, combined with brilliant cinematography
make The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, a very good film.
The pace is deliberate, the film is long and the there is very little action in the films 2.5+ hours, so those who lean towards the action genre will not be pleased.
Pitt and Affleck, notably strong in their portrayals of the two main characters, make up for the lack of action and the film's cinematography make it a great film to to look at.Not to be missed - Mawa
After watching The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, I was left with a sense of awe. This was an experience to behold. It was the same feeling that I was left with after watching some of the old classics, like, say, Kane - the feeling that what I had seen was just right. I'm going to try to put into words why The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford appealed to me so much.
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" is the perfect title. The whole film hinges around that one crucial moment. For Jesse, it means relief, a kind of assisted suicide; it means that he no longer has to be looking over his shoulder for lawmen or suspecting those closest to him. He no longer has to hide his own name from his family. For Robert Ford, it means that all of his fear and greed comes bubbling forth; it means that his legacy will be that of a coward and a common assassin, a man who killed Jesse in his own home after partaking of his bread and hospitality. It means an early death and the consternation of an uncaring world.
There's an air of melancholy that hangs over and pervades The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The James gang is all but dead, and Jesse seems to be making sure that its death becomes a certainty. The brilliant black-and-brown palette, the haunting score, and the myriad cloud shots all add to this feel, and after Jesse's death, it becomes even more pronounced. All of the technical aspects of the film seem to work in tandem to create a mood, a rare thing in film nowadays.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a triumph in every respect, every aspect. Its exhausting runtime is never once a weakness; the pace is as deliberate as it should be, and supporting characters are given just enough attention without ever feeling superfluous. It's the best Western since Unforgiven, and I suspect it'll be remembered as such in fifty years.
Member Reviews
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3 times extra good - cassiopee216
Absolutely spellbinding. An endlessly interesting character study that's flawlessly written and directed. Casey Affleck delivers in this career-defining role, and both he and Brad Pitt give two of the most complex performances I've ever seen in cinema. I understand ...Great for some, but not for everyone. - SBM7
Excellent performances by Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck and Sam Rockwell as well as Jeremy Renner in a smaller role, combined with brilliant cinematography
make The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, a very good film.
The pace is ...Not to be missed - Mawa
After watching The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, I was left with a sense of awe. This was an experience to behold. It was the same feeling that I was left with after watching some of the old classics, like, say, Kane - the feeling ...