Review of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) by Irfaan A — 28 Feb 2013

This film has a lot going for it but never delivers the goods. A terrific cast, highlighted by Casey Affleck stealing every scene he's in, can't overcome the sluggish pace and ineffective narration used to move the picture along. I found it fairly insulting to both the audience and actors to use such awful narration to reveal what the characters are thinking and feeling when the performers are highly skilled and already emoting for the camera with great effectiveness.

Additionally, the conclusion felt beyond flat to me; try emotionless. Director Andrew Dominik fails to create any significant tension with his film and leaves it to the actors to rise above this. Affleck and Pitt certainly put on an acting clinic here but it isn't enough to make me care when the blood starts to spill.