The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

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Summary:
The story of the not-so honorable Jesse James, and how he was assassinated by the coward Robert Ford.

Review:
The title is sure to tell you what happens in the end. Did you know that Robert Ford killed Jesse James? I didn't, either, gosh darnit! The stupid title ruined it for me! How DUMB!!
Joking aside, Jesse James is an overlong, but watchable western tale that tries very hard to go against Western Movie Conventions. I capitalize those words because I think when the script was concocted, the entire time the writer(s) was thinking that they would bring something "new" and "fresh" to the genre, the likes of which haven't been seen since Unforgiven or something. It's a decent movie that had a grand performance by Casey Affleck (proving that his brother still can't carry a movie as well as his less exposed younger bro), and a very nicely portrayed Jesse James by Brad Pitt. Pitt's done better in the past, but he's also done much worse.
Affleck is actually the star of this movie, and his twitchy and somewhat unnerving demeanor from open to close made me wonder just how unstable this misguided young man really is. I wasn't sure how long he could keep his mounting aggression to those around him inside himself. He was like a ticking time bomb about to go off. I was very pleased with his performance. Sam Rockwell also did a great job as Ford's older brother, a somewhat simple minded but kind hearted hick that means well for his family and friends.

The thing that got on my nerves the most was the (I always seem to bring this up in movies) excessive voice over that told us what was going on, which would have been just as easily inferred by watching the movie and figuring it out without being told by this jabbering blabbermouth. The movie also suffered from overlength. It was longer than it needed to be, as if adding extra minutes would also add to the film's importance in some way. As mentioned earlier, I also think efforts were taken to make Jesse James NOT seem like an icon. I understand that the story's message is to demystify the legend of Jesse James (J.J.) that was set up by the fanatical press, creating the massive popularity of his demise. By working so hard to break the mold of his iconic status, they fell into ANOTHER mold with predictable scenarios: he's going to have to pointlessly kill someone in a heist (that's dishonorable, you see), beat a young boy senselessly, and shoot a man in the back. By doing these three expected acts, the audience is forced to not like him compared to what one's preconceived notions may have been before. I think the movie would have worked BETTER if those three scenes were removed. I take away some big points on this flick just because of those moments alone. There were also a few other parts that I deem unnecessary, and just drove the point harder than it needed to.
Did anyone else notice how many times Robert Ford looked through a window at J.J.? Is this an attempt to give the impression that Ford is looking at him with faulted expectations, and staring at the man as if he was part of an audience transfixed to a modern day television screen? The reinforcement of J.J. as less than what the press makes him out to be is further stamped by Ford's collection of dime novels, and how James says "they're all lies" to Ford. But still, there's Robert looking out at the life of J.J. through yet more windows. His separation of the real man compared to Ford's fragile (can be shattered - like a window!) imaginary hero.

The Assassination of J.J. is not by any means a waste of time. Overlong, yes. I also feel that it tried too hard to knock the legend of J.J. down from his high horse, but the strong cast and their great performances alone make this one worth seeing.

GRADE: B-

Reviewed: 10/26/07