Review of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) by Andrew M — 02 May 2013
A slowly paced but fascinating retelling of the last few years of the infamous 19th Century American outlaw Jesse James. Superbly acted, beautifully filmed with a haunting musical score it focuses on the unusual relationship between the 2 main protagonists of the title; Jesse James (Brad Pitt) & Robert Ford (Casey Affleck).
Pitt delivers a charismatic, menacing & sinister performance whilst Affleck is outstanding as the intense, awkward young man meeting up & joining his adolescent idol's gang in their illegal activities.
It is this unusual, often strained relationship rather than the escapades of the James gang that is the intriguing core of the movie & all the better for it. You find yourself feeling empathy with both characters over the course of the movie.
Just don't be expecting wild west gun slinger style shoot outs as this is a character driven movie with every word, look & gesture telling the story.
This review of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) was written by Andrew M on 02 May 2013.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford has generally received positive reviews.
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