The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford

The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford

It's drawn out, slow, and kind of a slog—but honestly? It's great.

It shows the Old West through a totally different lens—cowboys aren't just tough guys, and the outlaws are actually just regular folks... which they really are. Plus, it's a story about how nobody actually wants the fame that comes with killing the most famous outlaw of the era.

Brad Pitt is solid, Casey Affleck is okay I guess, but overall it's definitely worth a watch... even if you have to settle in for a long one.

I spent some time digging around online to fact-check a few details from the movie, and it turns out the history actually lines up with the film quite closely. The way Jesse James—who was a notorious outlaw and gunslinger back then—actually ended up losing his life is just straight-up bizarre. Now, whether every single tiny detail was portrayed literally according to the historical record, I can't say for sure; probably not, but regardless, the story itself is incredibly gripping and serves as a real lesson...
As for Casey Affleck's performance, it was nothing short of brilliant. Everyone seems to think Javier Bardem is the frontrunner to take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, but if you ask me, that trophy belongs to Casey. Don't get me wrong, Bardem did a solid job, but I honestly feel his role was far less complex than what Affleck had to tackle. It feels like Bardem might have landed the part largely because he fits the physical profile so perfectly; and by that, I mean his look is rugged and almost unsettlingly harsh, which definitely helps sell the image of a manic killer or a psychopath. His character didn't really demand a wide spectrum of emotional range either. He isn't sad, he isn't worried, he isn't in love, he isn't obsessed, and he isn't afraid... he’s just this stone-faced maniac with a terrifying visage...
On the flip side, Casey had a much more demanding path to walk, cycling through so many different psychological states and stages throughout the film—moving from obsession to love, to pure terror, to pride... I could see all those shifting emotions etched into his facial expressions and even in the way he moved, and that’s exactly why his performance resonated with me so much more deeply than Bardem's...

I also have to mention that the score was composed by Nick Cave, who even makes a brief appearance on screen, and he absolutely nailed it. I particularly loved how the music weaves through the entire film, especially during those segments where the narrator comes in...

Rating:
9/10 👍

granitehound19 said:I spent some time digging around online to fact-check a few details from the movie, and it turns out the history actually lines up with the film quite closely. The way Jesse James—who was a notorious outlaw and gunslinger back then—actually ended up losing his life is just straight-up bizarre. Now, whether every single tiny detail was portrayed literally according to the historical record, I can't say for sure; probably not, but regardless, the story itself is incredibly gripping and serves as a real lesson...
As for Casey Affleck's performance, it was nothing short of brilliant. Everyone seems to think Javier Bardem is the frontrunner to take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, but if you ask me, that trophy belongs to Casey. Don't get me wrong, Bardem did a solid job, but I honestly feel his role was far less complex than what Affleck had to tackle. It feels like Bardem might have landed the part largely because he fits the physical profile so perfectly; and by that, I mean his look is rugged and almost unsettlingly harsh, which definitely helps sell the image of a manic killer or a psychopath. His character didn't really demand a wide spectrum of emotional range either. He isn't sad, he isn't worried, he isn't in love, he isn't obsessed, and he isn't afraid... he’s just this stone-faced maniac with a terrifying visage...
On the flip side, Casey had a much more demanding path to walk, cycling through so many different psychological states and stages throughout the film—moving from obsession to love, to pure terror, to pride... I could see all those shifting emotions etched into his facial expressions and even in the way he moved, and that’s exactly why his performance resonated with me so much more deeply than Bardem's...

I also have to mention that the score was composed by Nick Cave, who even makes a brief appearance on screen, and he absolutely nailed it. I particularly loved how the music weaves through the entire film, especially during those segments where the narrator comes in...

Rating:
9/10 👍

Whoa... 🙏 Now, I didn't know that. 😲 You just added this one to my "must-watch" list.
It's nice that someone else (besides me 😍 ) finally realized that Cave is just built for a role in a western—even if it's just a cameo.

Nick Cave actually wrote the screenplay for this Western http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421238/.
I definitely need to pick this one up 🙏.

Michelle Ward10 said:Nick Cave actually wrote the screenplay for this Western http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421238/.
I definitely need to pick this one up 🙏.

I finally "tracked down" a copy a few days ago, and after hunting for it for what felt like forever, I was all set and ready to dive in... only to realize the subtitles were completely garbled. Honestly, I was already on edge before I even hit play, so that was really the final straw, and I just shut the whole thing off in frustration. I'll get the subtitles sorted out soon, and once I actually get through it, I'll let you guys know what I thought... 👍

🙄
That pitch is solid—Nick, seriously, nice work.

A truly magnificent piece of cinema.
I was fully aware that the pacing would be deliberate and slow, so I made sure to clear my schedule in advance to give it the attention it required. Those who go in expecting a standard, fast-paced Western are likely to be quite surprised.

The acting is nothing short of superb. Brad Pitt delivers a compelling performance as Jesse James—he manages to be quite vicious, yet simultaneously appears profoundly unlucky and deeply isolated. That said, I suppose Casey Affleck actually steals the entire show; his portrayal of a complete and utter creep is so convincing that his Oscar nomination feels entirely earned. I am perhaps not entirely certain if he outshines Bardem, but I certainly wouldn't complain if he were to take home the prize.

Kudos to Nick Cave; the score is an absolute triumph. However, I found myself plagued by this nagging sensation throughout the runtime that the music sounded hauntingly familiar, though I couldn't quite place it. It wasn't until later that I realized the melodies were reminiscent of The Fountain.

Ultimately, it is a genuine shame that the film passed by almost unnoticed by American audiences—though, in my estimation, that is largely due to the studio's failings, as the movie deserved much more aggressive promotion.

Chloe Nguyen said:A truly magnificent piece of cinema.
I was fully aware that the pacing would be deliberate and slow, so I made sure to clear my schedule in advance to give it the attention it required. Those who go in expecting a standard, fast-paced Western are likely to be quite surprised.

The acting is nothing short of superb. Brad Pitt delivers a compelling performance as Jesse James—he manages to be quite vicious, yet simultaneously appears profoundly unlucky and deeply isolated. That said, I suppose Casey Affleck actually steals the entire show; his portrayal of a complete and utter creep is so convincing that his Oscar nomination feels entirely earned. I am perhaps not entirely certain if he outshines Bardem, but I certainly wouldn't complain if he were to take home the prize.

Kudos to Nick Cave; the score is an absolute triumph. However, I found myself plagued by this nagging sensation throughout the runtime that the music sounded hauntingly familiar, though I couldn't quite place it. It wasn't until later that I realized the melodies were reminiscent of The Fountain.

Ultimately, it is a genuine shame that the film passed by almost unnoticed by American audiences—though, in my estimation, that is largely due to the studio's failings, as the movie deserved much more aggressive promotion.

Exactly.
btw, check out the title of the link where I stumbled upon this movie:
http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/12/...t-see-in-2007/
🙂

Casey Affleck really went above and beyond what I was expecting... that unspoken, subtle communication happening between him and Pitt is just pure perfection...
The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic (I actually had no clue Cave was behind it until that moment in the saloon when the ballad kicks in—then everything just clicked for me).
Overall, it’s a solid film, though I’m still scratching my head at the very end, trying to figure out what the actual point was, other than maybe an attempt to feel like a sweeping historical epic... I’ll say it again, though, it's a really good movie... and that narrator fits the vibe so perfectly that listening to him was such a joy...

Garret Dillahunt 🙏 ... honestly, I haven't seen a character quite as messed up as this one since I watched The Machinist...

7/10

Even though I realize it wasn't exactly a massive marketing push, it still feels strange to me that so few people actually sat down to watch it. I suppose the reality is that being a slow-burn Western—one where you barely see a gun being drawn—with a three-hour runtime was enough to drive 🤷
away.
It is an excellent piece of filmmaking, featuring a bizarre and (if history is to be believed) genuinely surprising epilogue along with a rather haunting message.

Casey Affleck is incredibly powerful... though, this might sound a bit odd, but looking at him, I feel like he’s much better suited for playing slippery, morally grey characters. I watched Gone Baby Gone previously and he was decent there, but in this Western, he absolutely crushed it. We'll just have to see what kind of roles he gravitates toward next.

Chloe Nguyen said:A truly magnificent piece of cinema.
I was fully aware that the pacing would be deliberate and slow, so I made sure to clear my schedule in advance to give it the attention it required. Those who go in expecting a standard, fast-paced Western are likely to be quite surprised.

The acting is nothing short of superb. Brad Pitt delivers a compelling performance as Jesse James—he manages to be quite vicious, yet simultaneously appears profoundly unlucky and deeply isolated. That said, I suppose Casey Affleck actually steals the entire show; his portrayal of a complete and utter creep is so convincing that his Oscar nomination feels entirely earned. I am perhaps not entirely certain if he outshines Bardem, but I certainly wouldn't complain if he were to take home the prize.

Kudos to Nick Cave; the score is an absolute triumph. However, I found myself plagued by this nagging sensation throughout the runtime that the music sounded hauntingly familiar, though I couldn't quite place it. It wasn't until later that I realized the melodies were reminiscent of The Fountain.

Ultimately, it is a genuine shame that the film passed by almost unnoticed by American audiences—though, in my estimation, that is largely due to the studio's failings, as the movie deserved much more aggressive promotion.

Look, the movie didn't just go "unnoticed"—it was basically invisible because it wasn't even playing in theaters, despite all the hype! So, goldenhound32, don't act surprised that hardly anyone saw it.

Amanda Nguyen5 said:Look, the movie didn't just go "unnoticed"—it was basically invisible because it wasn't even playing in theaters, despite all the hype! So, goldenhound32, don't act surprised that hardly anyone saw it.

It didn't play in our local theaters because, honestly, maybe a hundred people would have shown up. Or maybe a thousand, but 70% of them probably would've walked out halfway through and left everyone with a bad taste in their mouths. People likely would've only gone to see it for Pitt, and then found it too slow. That's just bad business.

That said, I thought the film was excellent, featuring some of the most convincing cinematography I've seen in a long while.
As for Casey Affleck, I'm not sure what to make of him—I saw him in Gone Baby, Gone and he was terrible there. Then I saw him in this film and he's fantastic—Oscar material. Personally, I liked him even better than Bardem.

The movie is absolutely phenomenal—it’s one of those experiences you really should have on the big screen.

If they were showing "to be wanting blood"—which is also just this slow, three-hour slog—why on earth didn't they pick "The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward"? Distributers are such a weird breed sometimes...

redowl90 said:It didn't play in our local theaters because, honestly, maybe a hundred people would have shown up. Or maybe a thousand, but 70% of them probably would've walked out halfway through and left everyone with a bad taste in their mouths. People likely would've only gone to see it for Pitt, and then found it too slow. That's just bad business.

That said, I thought the film was excellent, featuring some of the most convincing cinematography I've seen in a long while.
As for Casey Affleck, I'm not sure what to make of him—I saw him in Gone Baby, Gone and he was terrible there. Then I saw him in this film and he's fantastic—Oscar material. Personally, I liked him even better than Bardem.

Man, I was at the multiplexes in Los Angeles watching some flick... and the trailers before the movie had ads saying this film is coming soon to theaters near you... then when I walked out, I saw posters everywhere announcing its arrival... I haven't seen it in theaters yet and I doubt anyone else has either, but I don't get why they're hyping it up so much if they aren't actually showing it... or maybe it’s just playing for a super tiny window??

nimblemarlin6 said:The movie is absolutely phenomenal—it’s one of those experiences you really should have on the big screen.

If they were showing "to be wanting blood"—which is also just this slow, three-hour slog—why on earth didn't they pick "The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward"? Distributers are such a weird breed sometimes...

Heh. Someone already pointed out there's just no money in it here, and frankly, they're right.

Thank God for streaming services; at least those actually interested can go watch it on their own time.

goldenhound32 said:Heh. Someone already pointed out there's just no money in it here, and frankly, they're right.

Thank God for streaming services; at least those actually interested can go watch it on their own time.

there was way less money made on much worse projects, too.
aha, if I'm watching for Deakins, I'd rather kiss my own palm.

Amanda Nguyen5 said:there was way less money made on much worse projects, too.
aha, if I'm watching for Deakins, I'd rather kiss my own palm.

Frankly, I couldn't care less about going to the theater, and quite honestly, I don't give a damn if it fails. I've already voiced my opinion on this numerous times and I have no intention of repeating myself.

Amanda Nguyen5 said:there was way less money made on much worse projects, too.
aha, if I'm watching for Deakins, I'd rather kiss my own palm.

holy crap, what's wrong with DVD?
it's not like watching a DVD automatically means you're stuck with a tiny 15" monitor and crappy 2w speakers... please...

I know, I know, totally off-topic...

Honestly, this thing was a total slog. I just couldn't bring myself to sit through the whole damn thing—it lacked any real spark to keep me hooked.☕

nimblemarlin6 said:The movie is absolutely phenomenal—it’s one of those experiences you really should have on the big screen.

If they were showing "to be wanting blood"—which is also just this slow, three-hour slog—why on earth didn't they pick "The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward"? Distributers are such a weird breed sometimes...

Hmm... I'm not sure. Maybe because "To Be Wanting Blood" snagged 8 Oscar nominations and was actually one of the best films of the year?
Oscar = box-office.