The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford

Good movie. Not a lot of action, not a lot of comedy. Perfectly told story with very little if any exaggeration of real events. On sale for 4.99$ now. I say it’s worth the buy when it’s cheap. Wouldn’t pay much more then that.

If you love great acting, writing, epic cinematography, and psychological drama, this movies for you. One of the most stacked casts ever. The story and the execution of how it all unfolds ...... just watch it. It’s not an action film. It’s more a meditation on friendship, idealizing someone who you don’t really know, the resentment of not feeling included... And the soundtrack. Truly a visual feast. Just beautifully shot. Just don’t go in expecting anything more than a brilliant character study.

Shakespeare knew how to entertain! Whoever came up with that nugget of wisdom, comparing this film to Will! It was so absurd I had to comment. This is an awful movie. I’m really NOT into action flicks at all. But some action, any action would have been preferable! The epitome of BORING! I love "Tombstone " and I’ve recently gained an appreciation for the last two hours of "Wyatt Earp". So for 99 cents I rented this Jesse James movie with the rather peculiar title that Brad Pitt had delineated in his contract must stay. Weird. Brad Pitt is a fine actor but he didn’t have to act. He didn’t have to do anything. Maybe a couple of dirty looks. The photography is nice but it will hardly take your breath away unless you suffer from sleep apnea. Your snort might jolt you awake. You won’t care about Jesse. You won’t care what happens to any main character. You might start anticipating Jesse's demise, counting those minutes. But I felt compelled to save you. Jesse James will only rob you of your time.

Here we’re treated to a beautifully acted, shot and scored chess match between legend Jesse James and 15-minutes-of-fame-seeking Robert Ford. Take your time, be patient and let the characters develop. You’ll see a surprisingly human treatment of Jesse as he struggles with his own mortality, and Ford as he struggles with his own insignificance. Loved this movie. It's a slow-burning mix of everything done with consumate skill. The acting. The photography. The score. The script. All are masterful.

Love this movie and everything about it!

I might only mean 4.5 stars, but I had to round up from merely 4. It’s been a while since I watched this, but I recall finding the overall scope and execution impressive and artful. And Casey Affleck is incredibly good. I heard or read later how desperately he wanted and prepared for this role, some story I can’t recall about how doggedly he chased it down. I’m glad he did. Whatever else you might think about the film, I don’t think the brilliance of his performance can be overstated.

I waited a long time to see this movie, having missed it when it was released. It was well worth the wait. It's a real pleasure to see a movie that presents a lot of real history in a realistic, unhurried, and very artistic way. If you savor real acting, beautiful cinematography, a basically true depiction of events in the lives of legendary and often-misunderstood famous people, and the poetic and sad irony of lives battered and crushed by events they set in motion themselves, you will love this movie. Casey Affleck does a superb job depicting the many insecurities and affronts affected by Bob Ford, and Brad Pitt also gives a strong performance as a volatile, violent Jesse James tormented by his own demons and afflictions. There are strong performances from several actors with smaller roles, each contributing a lot of heft to the emotional impact on the viewer as we see the fates of all of the characters unfold. This is quite a standout in the films of today - a movie about violent people that isn't rushed and gives us details in a way that doesn't insult our intelligence or assault our senses by bludgeoning us with noise and action every few minutes. The way the story is played out, and the unhurried depiction of the various characters, allow us to experience many details we would miss in most movies of today - the interplay of the outlaws, including Jesse James, with James' immediate family, the terror of train passengers as they are being robbed, the mixed feelings of the gang-members toward Jesse and Frank, and the aged period houses and other buildings used in the film. The landscape of "Missouri" (acstually Calgary and Manitoba) is another major star in the film, beautifully lit by the cinematography. If only we had more movies like this made today....

I began the film with high hopes but ended it expecting more. It's worth seeing once. If you want to kill two hours, forty minutes and are in the mood for a western. This is it. Needless to say, it's long and drawn out. I have to admit. I checked my watch a few times anticipating the end. Take of that what you will. I wouldn't say that I lost total attention with the film. It perhaps didn't excite me enough to seek what was going to occur next. Again, it is worth watching. I did purchase it on iTunes.

The same back ground music is used over and over again through out the movie, which is really distracting. Acting is ok at best. Was hoping for more gun fights and stand-offs. 90% of the movie is talking and 10% involves some kind of action. Disappointed

Every time I watch this movie it just gets better and better. Definitely one of my top faves of ever. Underrated as all hell.