The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

III · Nov 9, 2007

My wife and I saw this today. I guess it's still in limited release and she had never heard of it. Casey Affleck was fantastic as the weasely Bob Ford. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get a best supporting actor nomination for this one. Brad Pitt and the rest of the cast were great.

I'm not sure if they'll do further cutting before the general release, but the version we saw was 160 mins, approximately 100 minutes of which had no dialouge or action. Of the last three movies I've seen in the theater We Own The Night, American Gangster, and Jesse James, it seems like there's a huge amount of the actors simply emoting. Unfortunately I'm burned out on it now. This movie plods slowly and deliberately. It's also a very quiet movie - little scoring or background noise on tight sets, which helped to pull me in. The sets, costume, and language seemed very authentic and gritty.

Overall, this is a really good movie, but if you're looking for a shoot 'em up, see 3:10 to Yuma. If you're looking for a rich-textured, character driven movie, Jesse James is an excellent choice.

ChaosTitan · Nov 9, 2007

Thanks for the review, III. I'm interested in this film (love the legends of the old west), and it definitely sounds like something I'd enjoy.

childeroland · Nov 10, 2007

This is a superb film. I hadn't heard of the studio cutting this film before giving it a general release -- or of this film getting a wider release at all.

I didn't really buy Russell Crowe's sudden turn to the light side at the end of Yuma but that's nitpicking at a very good film (and a chance to see Bale and Crowe on screen together).

III said:
My wife and I saw this today. I guess it's still in limited release and she had never heard of it. Casey Affleck was fantastic as the weasely Bob Ford. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get a best supporting actor nomination for this one. Brad Pitt and the rest of the cast were great.

I'm not sure if they'll do further cutting before the general release, but the version we saw was 160 mins, approximately 100 minutes of which had no dialouge or action. Of the last three movies I've seen in the theater We Own The Night, American Gangster, and Jesse James, it seems like there's a huge amount of the actors simply emoting. Unfortunately I'm burned out on it now. This movie plods slowly and deliberately. It's also a very quiet movie - little scoring or background noise on tight sets, which helped to pull me in. The sets, costume, and language seemed very authentic and gritty.

Overall, this is a really good movie, but if you're looking for a shoot 'em up, see 3:10 to Yuma. If you're looking for a rich-textured, character driven movie, Jesse James is an excellent choice.

III · Nov 12, 2007

childeroland said:
I didn't really buy Russell Crowe's sudden turn to the light side at the end of Yuma but that's nitpicking at a very good film (and a chance to see Bale and Crowe on screen together).

And I didn't buy Christian Bale running full speed and leaping across rooftops with a missing leg. It's definitely a "suspend your disbelief" movie.

JoNightshade · Nov 12, 2007

III said:
And I didn't buy Christian Bale running full speed and leaping across rooftops with a missing leg. It's definitely a "suspend your disbelief" movie.

Okay, I have to respond to this because my husband kept picking that bone as well!!! My argument:

If the dude had a decent prosthetic (and I think his leg was cut off below the knee) that was attached firmly, there's no reason he couldn't have done the running. Sure, it would hurt like hell and probably damage his leg permanently, but he wasn't really concerned with that at the moment.

I command you: SUSPEND!

Nitpickers drive me crazy.

III · Nov 12, 2007

JoNightshade said:
Okay, I have to respond to this because my husband kept picking that bone as well!!! My argument:

If the dude had a decent prosthetic (and I think his leg was cut off below the knee) that was attached firmly, there's no reason he couldn't have done the running. Sure, it would hurt like hell and probably damage his leg permanently, but he wasn't really concerned with that at the moment.

I command you: SUSPEND!

Nitpickers drive me crazy.

Your husband was right :tongue

And you and I should never watch a movie together because I'm a TERRIBLE nitpicker. Why watch a movie if you're not going to nitpick it? It'd be like having a cold sore and not pressing your tongue against it.

childeroland · Nov 12, 2007

That's true; I'd forgotten about the leg.
Crowe and Bale need to work together again.

III said:
And I didn't buy Christian Bale running full speed and leaping across rooftops with a missing leg. It's definitely a "suspend your disbelief" movie.

PattiTheWicked · Jun 29, 2008

:::bump:::

I just watched "Jesse James" last night, and really enjoyed it. I'd have loved it more if it had been about 40 minutes shorter, but I thought everyone in it was amazing.

ChaosTitan · Jun 29, 2008

*reminds self: must rent this soon*

My-Immortal · Jun 29, 2008

III said:
Overall, this is a really good movie, but if you're looking for a shoot 'em up, see 3:10 to Yuma.

While I really liked 3:10 to Yuma, if you want a see a true 'shoot 'em up' just rent the movie "Shoot 'em Up' with Clive Owen - no doubt that movie will give you plenty to nitpick!!!

(Personally, I watched it for the mindless fun, I mean, it's called 'Shoot 'em Up' - you aren't supposed to be watching it for any other reason!)

Take care all -
PS: I haven't see TAOJJBTCRF yet, but when my library gets it I'll check it out...

katiemac · Jun 29, 2008

PattiTheWicked said:
:::bump:::

I just watched "Jesse James" last night, and really enjoyed it. I'd have loved it more if it had been about 40 minutes shorter, but I thought everyone in it was amazing.

I saw it about two weeks ago--I agree. About 40 minutes shorter and I would have liked it a lot better, but the performances were right on track. Casey Affleck was great.

Gynn · Jun 29, 2008

I loved it. Casey Affleck was perfect and Brad Pitt, whom I normally don't care for, had an air of malice and tension around him that was reflected well in the supporting cast (which was excellent).

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

III

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ChaosTitan

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childeroland

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III

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JoNightshade

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III

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childeroland

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ChaosTitan

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Gynn

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