The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Review by Sean Lynch

What is it about infamy and mythology that makes the most horrendous human acts so enviable? From Ned Kelly to Chopper Reed - there is something within our society that seems to glorify outlaws. And when it comes to outlaws, there is no greater myth than that of Jesse James.

To those he robbed and terrorised and to the families of those he killed - he may have been just a criminal, but thanks to the sensational newspaper articles and novels chronicling the James Gang throughout the 1870s, Jesse was the object of awe and admiration. He was a Robin Hood, he was a celebrity of his time (ironically - on the scale that Brad Pitt is today), with the film mirroring today's society and their obsession and idolising of celebrity (it could quite easily be re-shot in a few years as "The Assassination of John Lennon by the Coward Mark David Chapman").

Not simply a straight out Western, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (yep, the title is that long) is a slow burning quasi-psychological thriller which documents the final years of James' life before his assassination at the hands of 'his biggest fan'.

Writer/Director Andrew Dominik (who not surprisingly was the man behind the Aussie hit Chopper) weaves a terrific yarn here. Much like Will Ferrell's Stranger Than Fiction, there is something quite eery and exciting about knowing the ultimate fate of your lead character from the get-go (but not knowing how, where, when or why). It keeps you gripped to the edge of your seat the entire time, because you know that one wrong move could very well be the last. And considering Jesse James' hefty 160 minute running time - that's a pretty amazing achievement.

Everything just seems to work here. From the magnificent cast including Brad Pitt (whose performance is amazingly likable, yet so chilling - like a mesmerising cobra that you're never quite sure is going to strike) and Casey Affleck (it's been a long time coming, but finally the brother of former Hollywood heavyweight Ben is finally getting the juicy roles he deserves - also soon to be seen in Gone Baby Gone), to the creepily calm and melancholic soundtrack from Aussie Nick Cave (who also makes a cameo in the flick) there is hardly a foot put wrong.

The cinematography is sublime, with each frame looking like a meticulously constructed painted portrait - mini works of art within the silver screen. No doubt the Academy will be rewarding Roger Deakins for his work come Oscar time, and so they should. Simply beautiful stuff which offers such subtle visual nuances.

The flick chugs along at a decent enough pace (much like Legends of the Fall, it's the sort of film which will initially put people off with it's running time - but once you've started watching, you'll be engrossed until the closing credits), with the soothing montonal narration giving you the sense of listening to a 'Book-On-Tape' as it unravels what may have transpired in the months before that infamous shooting.

Let's just hope we don't have to wait another seven years before Dominik decides to make his next film, because The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a true cinematic achievement.

4 out of 5

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Australian release: 1st November, 2007
Cast: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Mary-Louise Parker, Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard
Director: Andrew Dominik
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