Review of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) by Nick R — 19 Apr 2013

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a film as bold as its choice of title. It's a modern day Western of towering landscapes and the larger-than-life personas that occupy them; yet, at the same time, it's a quiet film of introspection punctuated by only brief moments of violence.

With the anti-climax built right in to the title, the film takes the time to breathe and properly delve into the psyches of each of these figures. They're all vividly brought to life with some of the finest acting in recent memory. Each member of the cast turns in such a strong performance that it's even more impressive at how much Casey Affleck stands out. Watching him is a mesmerizing experience, as he unwraps layers of complexity in Robert Ford's tortured and obsessive soul with such nuance. From the onset, there's a simmering tension to his exchanges with Brad Pitt's Jesse James. It's this dynamic that keeps the piece electric, despite its slower pacing.

It's only in the last section of the film that you start to really feel the film's length. The film's third act feels slightly out of place with the rest of the piece, as it deals with the fallout of the titular act on both a personal and national level. With everything else so smooth and organic, it felt like a rare misstep. But even with it, this is film that I look forwards to watching again and again. I can't help but feel like there's so much more to learn and see that might have slipped past me the first time with a film this wonderfully complex.