The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

September 24th, 2007 by James Cook | Source:

Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Written by: Andrew Dominik (Based on the novel by Ron Hansen)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Mary-Louise Parker, Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Sam Shepard, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Schneider

Score: 8/10

I love film titles that lay everything out in the open. Anybody walking into the multiplex isn’t going to be confused by the title of this film, Jesse James (Brad Pitt) will die by the hands of Robert Ford (Casey Affleck). It’s now in the up to director Andrew Dominik, we know the outcome, but getting there has to be the interesting part. The journey at times is a little bumpy but ultimately Dominik succeeds in this tale of betrayal.

The film opens with the James brothers, Jesse and Frank (Sam Shepard), preparing for Franks last train robbery. The brothers are joined by a few different gangs that they’ve brought on board to help them with the robbery. Among the people helping are the Ford brothers, Robert and Charley (Sam Rockwell). People expecting to see how the James brothers became the great robbers that they were will have to look somewhere else; this is the only robbery in the film.

Robert has been following the career of Jesse James since he was a child, from comic books about the James brothers and through other stories, he looks up to him and idolizes him, when he finally gets to be a part of his team it’s a dream come true. It’s the train robbery that’s the end for one James brother but is the beginning for Ford. It’s after the robbery that Ford begins to build a relationship with James, coming into his family and eventually becoming on of James’ closest friends.

Everyone in this film is at the top of their game, I haven’t been truly impressed by Casey Affleck before, but this is his year, after being the best part about Ocean’s Thirteen and now stepping into a leading role. Affleck completely owns this film and his portrayal of Robert Ford is what is able to hold this film together during the slow parts. Bard Pitt is equally convincing as Jesse James, and a there’s strong supporting role from Sam Rockwell.

Some people might find the time spent prior to the assignation much too long, it’s not an unfounded argument as there are times where the film crawls along. Mainly when the story shifts off of the two title characters and focuses on problems between other members of the James gang, the time spent with Dick Liddil (Paul Schneider) and Wood Rite (Jeremy Renner) isn’t as interesting as the relationship between Ford and James and there’s a lot of this side story then what was needed.

I wasn’t completely bored with the amount of time prior to the assassination, but after we get to it, and the film delves into the aftermath and the impact it had on Robert Ford, I couldn’t help but think the film would have been better off if it had gotten to the assassination earlier. I enjoyed how director Domink decided to focus on what happened to Ford after he commits the deed, instead of just rolling credits as soon as he pulls the trigger, but it seemed a little rushed.

Overall, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford wasn’t the film I was expecting it to be, but is still a great accomplishment for director Andrew Dominik and worth checking out. A bit drawn out at times but thanks to great performances and breathtaking cinematography you’re able to look past it.