Poor old Jesse! (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (DVD))

Member Name: charlie1979

Product:	The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (DVD)
Date:	24/12/08 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great story

Disadvantages: Too long, loads of boring scenes

It's that time of year when I get a couple of weeks off work and have more time to watch films so you may see a few more film reviews crop up from me! This film is based on the original book by author Ron Hansen and was released in 2007.

**The Plot**

The film is set in America in the 1880s and follows the notorious criminal Jesse James. The film starts with the beginnings of the relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford. Robert has idolised Jesse from a young age and even though he is nineteen he acts like a small child around Jesse in the way he looks at him and is fascinated by everything he does.

Robert works in the gang with his brother Charley Ford. The two of them join other members of Jesses' gang to commit a train robbery. The robbery is a success however this is the last train robbery Jesse and his brother Frank will make.

After this robbery the law in every state seems to be after Jesse and there is also a reward on offer for his capture. This makes Jesse very suspicious of everyone he meets and also previous gang members.

The relationship between Robert and Jesse intensifies, more from Roberts side. He seems to idolise Jesse but also lives in fear of him and his temper. Soon the original gang begins to diminish, either from members going their own ways or by being shot by Jesse for their betrayal.

Eventually the only two members of the gang that remain with Jesse are the Ford brothers Robert and Charley. Jesse is still suspicious of the brothers and keeps a close eye on them at all times. The two brothers eventually end up living with Jesse and his wife but even there Jesse wont let them out of his sight. The tension soon builds up in the film and the brothers are sure Jesse knows of their intentions to kill him. Robert becomes a bit of a nervous wreck as the man he once idolises he now begins to hate and lives in constant fear of his life.

I am not giving the plot away by saying that eventually it is Robert Ford that kills Jesse as this is in the title of the film! I will not give away how this does happen though!

News soon spreads that Robert Ford has killed Jesse and he becomes a bit of a celebrity! Robert is convinced that everyone will see him as a hero for killing Americas most wanted criminal but not many people share his thoughts. The public soon begin to question his motives and things don't quite turn out as he had expected!

**The Main Cast**

- Brad Pitt as Jesse James
- Casey Affleck as Robert Ford
- Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford

**My Thoughts**

Some of my first thoughts on the film were that I couldn't understand what the actors were saying, particularly the character of Robert Ford! They had put on such a heavy accent in parts I had no idea what had been said!

I was familiar with the story of Jesse James but the first hour of the film was so long and drawn out that I really lost interest until the train robbery finally began! I had been warned by others who had watched it that is was slow and boring but I wanted to give the film a chance and persevered.

This is a very dark film, mainly set in dark wintery Western landscapes. There isn't really anything in the way of special effects wither so it is quite a simple film. IN parts of the film I really started to get in to the characters but there were some many seemingly irrelevant scenes that I did get bored in places.

I cannot fault the acting of Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in this film, great performances from both these very talented actors. I must say however that I have never seen Brad Pitt look so old and withered in a film, I was most disappointed!


**Summary**

I'm not really sure if I would recommend this film or not. It is a great story but unfortunately not a great film. This is mainly due to the fact that is was far too long. The film is nearly three hours long however I feel that the story could have been told in half this time and would have made the film much more enjoyable to watch.

There have been mixed opinions on this film so far and the main problem being that the film is too long with the story drawn out too much. I would say give it a go but fast forward through the dull parts!

Summary: Ok if you keep your finger on the fast forward button!