THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2007) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Andrew Dominik

Written by - Andrew Dominik (based on the novel by Ron Hansen)

Starring - Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck

"A young man, who grows up idolising Jesse James, becomes a member of his gang and then ends up becoming his murderer. Arguably the most impressive take on the American myth of the outlaw Jesse James, one of the most romanticised figures of the Old American West. It is an endlessly intelligent take at that, from director Andrew Dominik, who also reflects upon the narrative in a timeless way. 

The film is very meditative, and the cinematography by Roger Deakins flatters this aspect of the movie with its treasuring of the American plains. The Assassination of Jesse James is also, essentially, a very quiet movie, full of poetry and power. 

Brad Pitt is excellent in his very original performance as Jesse James, while the radically different turn by his on screen antagonist Casey Affleck is also powerful.

The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford is a fascinating film, a very different modern western. Occasionally, the film's length that nears the three hour mark suffers from a few dull moments. Nevertheless, the film has enough power to hypnotise the viewer into its intense atmosphere.

Western, USA/Canada/UK