Review of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) by Roger N — 10 Jun 2012

An epic story that explores the assassination of Jesse James. Robert Ford desperately tries to get on James' good side, but to no prevalence. Only after he kills Jesse's cousin (Jesse not knowing, of course) does he finally, truly get Jesse's good blessings.

And the he kills him.There are so many reasons why this movie is amazing. First of, the cinematography by Roger Deakins is absolutely fantastic, and that trick he does where only the center of the screen is in focus while the outsides are blurred gets me every time.

Dominik got to edit his own cut of the film, but since he didn't sign on for final cut it was unfortunately trimmed down to the version we see today. It's a shame, because I would have loved to have seen the four-hour long edit he had.

The movie also explores the darker side of idolization. Robert Ford looks up to Jesse, to the point where in one scene he walks around his house and even lays in his bed. It's only when Robert gets to know him that he begins to be disappointed.

There is a fine line between history and legend that is crossed by the nickel-books that were being peddled to people in those days. The ending (SPOILERS!), or rather the actual assassination may have left people wondering why Jesse ditched his guns in the kitchen and decided to fix his picture frame.

Some may think that he was thinking of his family, but as my friend pointed out, there are a few instances scattered throughout the film where we can see Jesse as almost suicidal (when he was crouching on the ice and started to fire at it, the conversation about death he has).

This adds another dimension to this scene. And then there's Robert Ford, the coward (as the title points out). I had mixed feelings about him throughout the film. At first I pitied him, as he was just a young boy of nineteen who just wanted to be like his hero, but soon those feelings turned to distaste.

And then surprise (when he shot Jesse's cousin). And then distaste (when he actually shot Jesse). One can feel this as he tries to capitalize on this success, by going as far as even staging a play.

However, at the very end, he himself is assassinated. Sure we saw this coming, but it's the narration that really gives this scene its power, as we hear him saying things along the lines of, "No one will name their child after him.

There will be no eulogy in the paper for him. No one will go to his funeral." I couldn't help but feel really sad for the poor kid. To each his own, I guess.