The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

What do you think of when you hear the name Jesse James? Well for me, it conjures up images of one of yesteryear’s infamous and admired outlaws, in a similar way to Butch Cassidy, Clyde Barrow, and even our very own Robin Hood and their sidekicks. So on hearing that Brad Pitt was going to star in a film about the latter part of Jesse James’ life, I instantly thought of an action-packed, modern-day western heavily influenced by the likes of Sam Peckinpah and Sergio Leone. Being a fan of the genre, this kind of a stylised swashbuckler would have done nicely. 

The start of the film, which sees Jesse James and his gang preparing for, and then undertaking, their next train robbery, sets what you think is the scene for a series of heroic encounters and shoot-outs. But with the gang’s abortive attempt at stealing themselves a fortune, Jesse’s brother departure for a normal life, their subsequent disbanding, the growing distrust amongst them and the developing relationship between James and Ford, you realise that The Assassination might look like a western, but it’s really working as a psychological drama, and a gripping one at that.

If you were living in post-Civil War America there would have been no shortage of reading material on Jesse James. How much of that was actually fact and what measure of fiction was thrown in, would have been hard to separate. But writer Ron Hansen who penned the book on which this film is based, has a great imagination. He’s managed to translate his research, creativity and understanding of human nature into well-rounded characters and a highly convincing interpretation of the run-up to Jesse James’s fall. Writer/director Andrew Dominik’s deft adaptation of the book makes The Assassination a success on the screen too.

But let me get a few negatives out the way before I go on. Warning: this film is a slow-burner. Its running time of two hours and 40 minutes might not quite match the JFKs or Malcolm Xs, but is lengthy all the same. I was also left wondering why, after the climax of the film when James finally dies, it continues for as long as it does. The counter-argument would be that it was to highlight the impact of ensuing events in the aftermath of the assassination. But I still say it could have been done more succinctly. I would also have appreciated some more background to what motivated James and how he became the complex character that he was – committed family man and notorious villain. But I suppose the title of the film clearly indicates that it’s not a biography.

On the subject of the title, the fact that it tells you exactly what’s going to happen in the film might be off-putting for some people, in spite of what the history books tell us about Jesse James’ death. But I actually think this is one of The Assassination’s key strengths and shows the confidence of the director in his film as a great character study rather than one which is plot-driven.

James’ flagging public popularity, the increased difficulty in carrying out straightforward robberies and his sense of loosing control over his destiny are all wonderfully captured in the film’s cinematography courtesy of veteran Roger Deakins. There’s a real absence of colour, especially in the exterior scenes, marked by towns and landscapes appearing weathered and washed out. This adds to the atmosphere, tension and feeling of pending doom, and is complimented by Nick Cave’s excellent soundtrack.

The two biggest reasons to go and see The Assassination have to be its stars Brad Pitt (James) and Casey Affleck (Ford). As one of the producers on the film, Pitt clearly had a special interest in the project, and this shows in his depiction of James. I expected him to fit the part quite well, but what I didn’t predict was such a solid, sensitive and understated performance. This is a role that required Pitt to play sinister, playful and emotive in such controlled doses but without seeming contrived – and he pulls it off  convincingly. His ability to change the mood and energy in a room with just a glare, a laugh or a thought, is as unnerving to the audience as it is to his on-screen counterparts.

As for Affleck, all I can say is that after this film, he won’t ever be seen in his brother’s shadow again. His portrayal of the geeky misfit is masterly. He manages to capture a man desperately ambitious to be famous and bursting with delusions of grandeur, but at the same time pathetic as a villainous wannabe and tragic as a cowardly killer. For a historical entity that most people know little about, Affleck has made him believable and memorable.

This is a film about real people and relationships, innocence and disillusionment, defeat and sadness.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is out now in UK cinemas.

HC

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[Eric]

The family of Jesse James have posted their own 5 page review of the film on their family web site , together with other stories about the family’s former experiences with Hollywood and Jesse James movies.

http://www.ericjames.org/Reviews/AssassinationofJesseJames/index.html