The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

If you are expecting to see a classic western glorifying the exploits of Jesse James in his glory days, you are watching the wrong movie. You are better off renting a crappy 1994 movie with Rob Lowe and Bill Paxton called Frank and Jesse. If you are interested in seeing James' decent into near madness at the end of his life, then this film is worth watching. In The Assassination of Jesse James, Robert Ford's childhood idolization of the infamous bandit slowly turns to resentment as he realizes that James does not echo his sentiments and is not who he had built him up to be. This film is really well produced and well acted, it is just not what I was hoping for in terms of a Jesse James epic. Brad Pitt does a great job of playing James as he becomes increasingly more paranoid and insane, and as his desire to go on living is slowly fading. Casey Affleck was nominated for his portrayal as Robert Ford, and as so, he is amazing. I think he is one of the most talented up and coming actors, and his Ford is so convincing that you forget that it is impossible to know what the real Robert Ford would have been like. The Assassination of Jesse James is a lot longer than a movie that does not have a lot of action in it should be. There are a lot of significant looks and meaningful glances that are not wholly necessary, and there is only one actual train robbery in the entire film. One thing I did like was that the movie showed James as a ruthless killer who was feared by even his own gang, rather than as the Robin Hood-esque hero he is often portrayed as. I also found the portrayal of James' death and Ford's life to be as accurate as any historical dramatization can be. I waited a week after seeing this film to review it because my feelings were not, and really still are not clear. I was originally going to give The Assassination 2 and a half stars, but given some distance, I feel the movie was better than that. I was disappointed because I was inappropriately prepared for the film, but for what it intended, it was not that bad. My wife did not watch with me, and I am conflicted as to whether or not she would have enjoyed it. If you are really into Jesse James or have a lot of time to kill, I could recommend this film, but it is not for the casual movie watcher. I give the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford 3 stars.