The story of Jesse James, the notorious outlaw known for robbing trains and banks throughout the Southwest in the late 19th century, has been told countless times through folk songs, dime novels and western movies. The latest release, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," recounts the gunslinger's final heists and glorious demise.
Andrew Dominik, the critically acclaimed writer/director of the Australian hit "Chopper" (2001), broaches familiar territory in his exploration of yet another infamous criminal both marginalized and revered by society. The result is a highly stylized western that goes way beyond the conventions of the genre by delving into the psychology of its two principal characters.
After the disintegration of the James-Younger gang, brothers Jesse (Brad Pitt) and Frank (Sam Shepard) James recruit new members for their criminal endeavors. Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), a young and inexperienced boy of 19, joins the ranks with his older brother Charley (Sam Rockwell) in search of the action and adventure depicted in pulp fiction.
Ford's fascination with the Jesse James legend, however, quickly changes into bitter envy as his hunger for recognition grows insatiable. Meanwhile, tension develops within the gang when certain members double-cross others for personal gain. The ringleader confirms his suspicions and ultimately tests his partners' loyalties, ending in the epic assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford.
The film is a sweeping success in every aspect - no real surprise given all the talent attached. Dominik, one of the most promising young directors of the 21st century, adds another notch to his belt in the follow-up to his directorial debut that put Eric Bana on the map.
"Jesse James" will certainly do similar wonders for Casey Affleck's career, whose performance outshined - but never overshadowed - Brad Pitt's portrayal of the rugged gunman. Affleck brilliantly captures Robert Ford's bruised ego as he realizes his own inferiority next to his larger-than-life childhood idol.
On the other hand, Pitt demonstrates the struggle of an aging anti-hero coming to terms with his own sense of mortality. The film isn't about Jesse James' glory days; in fact, the one robbery the gang pulls off all together is the catalyst for its eventual decline. The interaction between the two leading actors never falters, thanks to a well-crafted masculine tension underlying every scene.
"Jesse James" is as much a period piece as it is a character study. The movie shows a distinctly American obsession with pride and power. In the West, a man's worth is calculated by his toughness and courage, regardless of whether his intentions are noble.
The nearly three-hour runtime will turn off certain viewers who expect lots of fast action sequences and typical western-style shootouts. The film, based on the similarly titled book by Ron Hansen, begins with several minutes of narration over long shots of the countryside. The voice-over comes straight from Hansen's descriptive prose, but never gets too tedious. Instead, it helps set up a unique mood that complements the eerie tranquility of the arresting cinematography.
The director of photography, five-time Oscar nominee Roger Deakins, may actually get a golden statue this year - God knows he deserves it. The slow pace of the movie favors the steady unfolding of the story and progressive understanding of the characters.
Although the violence is sparse and brief, the film is no tame drama about crime. When Jesse James and Robert Ford get the chance to use their guns, the camera does not shy away from the bloody aftermath of their actions. The executions are particularly chilling because of way they are staged; most of the deaths are sudden and succinct.
"The Assassination of Jesse James" is one of the best movies this year due to its solid acting, beautiful cinematography and well-constructed narrative. After two major successes, Andrew Dominik has paved the way for a very bright future in film.
