The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford [2007]
Director: Andrew Dominik
Actor: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard, Paul Schneider, Jeremy Renner, Michael Parks
When Eva told me that this film was good, well-acted, yet long, and could’ve used a few more tits and explosions, I got a little worried. Usually I don’t put too much stock in reviews by others, and I’d rather see it for myself, but when Eva doesn’t want to take the time for an artsy movie then I start to worry a bit. She’s usually the one that wants to see the most pointless of arthouse movies, you know, the Gus van Sant’s of the arthouse flicks. ;)
Anyway, the film was very long, nearly three hours worth, but it didn’t bore me for a moment. The acting is top-fucking-notch, and I think the pace of the movie kind of explains the dreary, desolate existence of that period. It differs quite a bit from the average, Hollywood, action-packed, Michael Bay-type-movies that have been (dis)gracing the screen lately, and there were a few people in the theatre who walked out, but fuck ’em. I was reminded of the time Eva and I went to see Brother, a Takeshi Kitano film. The movie has a Japanese pace, which is different from the Hollywood pace, and oftentimes rather slow. Scenes in which nothing directly important to the story usually frustrate most western viewers, but I love them. It sets the mood and atmosphere really well. A good example of a Hollywood movie that does that is Alien. Hardly any music, no dialogue, and sometimes not even movement. If the movie is good, then I can’t get enough of scenes like that.
Jesse (Pitt) and Frank (Shephard) James are the much feared James brothers, and head the James-gang. The “gang” has fallen apart, some dead, some incarcerated. They now roam from one state and county to the next, hiring local outlaws and rubes to help with their jobs. Frank and Jesse are no longer on real speaking terms, but they work together anyway. Frank is sour-faced and quiet, and Jesse is amicable and popular among the hired help. Frank has no family, and has no connections to the area apart from Jesse, and decides to leave for Chicago. Jesse does have a family, so stays in the area and continues his string of robberies, mostly banks, post offices and trains.
He picks up some local guys for the last job he pulls off with his brother, amongst which are Robert (Affleck) and Charley (Rockwell) Ford, two wannabe outlaws who want to become part of the James-gang. Charley is a likable fellow, though not very smart, but his brother Robert is an intelligent man, though socially very awkward. His fascination with Jesse is obsessive and disconcerting, and while he’s a good help, Jesse is wary of him.
Jesse, without the presence of his older brother who seemed to be the worrier of the two before he left, becomes more and more paranoid. The price on his head is getting higher and higher, and the necessity of hiring outside help because there’s not much of his original gang left, drives him to distrust these people. He sleeps less, behaves erratic, and becomes deeply depressed, and is prone to violence. People fear and respect him because of his legendary status, and act awkward around him because of the potential for violence and the need to impress him. In that awkwardness he spots deceit, and he starts killing some of them. Throughout all of that, Robert is still trying to catch his favour, but is quickly disillusioned and decides to collaborate with the police to bring Jesse down.
Casey Affleck is fantastic in this film. The awkwardness of his character is creepy yet endearing. Pitt is alright, but doesn’t outshine Affleck’s performance, and even Rockwell manages to make his mark on the film, even though he doesn’t get too much opportunity to do so. A good film, but make sure you’ve been to the bathroom and got enough to drink, because you’re in for a long stretch. :)