Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Mary-Louise Parker
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad...( read more
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DVD Release Date: February 5, 2008
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Stats: 13,839 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (13,839)
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October 1, 2009Its long, its slow in places but it?s very stylish and the last 20 minutes are fantastic. It makes up for sitting through endless inaudible dialogue and some mediocre acting. Affleck & Rockwell steal the show. All in all, I thought it was a very good film but not quite the 5 star...( read more)
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July 11, 2009This movie is long and slow moving but it is required to reveal the intensity of the characters. It's very dark and violent. Brad and Casey give excellent performances. Brad is the outlaw Jesse James in the latter years of his career. Casey is Robert Ford who admires and follows ...( read more)
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April 27, 2009As a rule, I'm not a big fan of "westerns".
But when they are more along the lines historical "period pieces" and made with as much passion and attention to detail as this film...what's not to love?
This was a very slow and methodic look at the last few months of the life o...( read more) -
April 10, 2009Aside from the scene-stealing supporting actors, this film is just really sad and is a relative snoozefest. Interesting editing, cinematography and storytelling style, though.
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December 14, 2008A smouldering, intense and quite sensual meditation on friendship, betrayal and guilt that made my heart skip a beat. It's not only the most achingly beautiful piece of cinematic Americana since Terence Malick's Badlands but also the most obviously homoerotic western I think I ha...( read more)
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November 23, 2009A slow burning western. This film contains amazing cinematography and powerful imagery but other than that it's not scoring any points. Some call Casey Affleck's and Brad Pitt's performances as "powerful". While they weren't hammy they're far from powerful. I don't mind when a mo...( read more)
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November 21, 2009Some see westerns as action movies. TAoJJbtCRF could have easily been an action movie about the adventures of the James Brothers and the exciting death of James against Ford. Instead, it brings us a real look to that time, and with Robert Ford we feel the pain to discover that ma...( read more)
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November 12, 2009this is truly a modern masterpiece, everything is just perfect, the screenplay, the acting, the directing, the cinematography, the chemistry between brad pitt and casey affleck, the pace, and the running time.,
i know most people criticize this movie for being slow-paced and over...( read more) -
Critic Reviews
November 30, 2007
Nigel Andrews, BadMovies.org B-Movie Reviews
November 30, 2007
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times
Affleck and Pitt have prime charge of the tale's humanity and vitality. The first has nervous headlamp eyes and a wheedling, accosting intensity: he is like a homeless pet you would feel sorry for up ... full review
October 5, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie has the space and freedom of classic Western epics. full review
September 24, 2007
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker
It is no mean feat to make a boring film about Jesse James, but Andrew Dominik has pulled it off in style. full review
September 21, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim
A masterwork that already has the feel of a classic. This take on the last days of an iconic western figure constantly surprises and intrigues. full review
September 21, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today
...heightened by a rare cinematic artistry that seamlessly melds a probing character essay with a lyrical Western epic. full review
September 21, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
A long, ambitious, fitfully rewarding movie. full review
September 20, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford represents a breakthrough in the moviegoing experience. It may be the first time we've been asked to watch a book on tape. full review
September 20, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Dominik paints a richly detailed mosaic on locations in Calgary and Winnipeg, and you can only marvel at the visual miracles achieved by cinematographer Roger Deakins. full review
September 19, 2007
Armond White, The New York Press
Fact is, The Assassination is nothing more than a misreading of Hollywood mythology. full review
Comments
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February 29, 2008the film was a bit long, but I ended up really enjoying it. It showed what Jesse James was really like and I thought that was great. and it also showed why Ford killed him. It was a great story and I ended up liking Robert Ford in the end and really feeling sorry for him.
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February 22, 2008Considering who jesse james was, what he did, then it's apparent that he was the coward and Robert Ford was an honorable man! I hope this movie doesn't turn into a revisionist history piece of garbage.
I hate brad pitt! Why did they choose him for this roll? He is so damned overated! -
February 6, 2008I thought this film was good, but a bit lengthy. It was however a beautiful film, and a fantastic character study.
http://www.dvd-dweeb.com/reviews/review-the-assasination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford -
November 8, 2007A wonderful art Western that strolls leisurely to its inevitable outcome, as the title suggests. When Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), joins the infamous James gang, we know that he will one day kill one of the most infamous criminals of the 19th century, Jesse James (Brad Pitt). The film fills in the details, showing us the reasons why Robert Ford did what he did on that significant day. Director Andrew Dominik's take on history has a homoerotic subtext suggesting Ford killed what he couldn't have. Pitt is understated and intimidating as Jesse James and Affleck is perfect as Ford, an annoying celebrity obsessed boy. A daring script, excellent performances and spectacular photography make this film a work of art.
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October 3, 2007
Considering who jesse james was, what he did, then it's apparent that he was the coward and Robert Ford was an honorable man! I hope this movie doesn't turn into a revisionist history piece of garbage.
I hate brad pitt! Why did they choose him for this roll? He is so damned overated! -
September 4, 2007i saw da trailors n since den i juz cant wait 2 c dis movie...by da luk of it Brad has put his heart in2 dis movie n hopefully it wil NOT b disopointing 4 da fans...u Go Brad keep doin good movies :)
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