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Jesse James (Brad Pitt) has gained a legendary reputation of invincibility as a notorious bandit and gang leader responsible for at least twenty five bank and train robberies. But unknown to almost everyone in St. Joseph, Missouri, he has taken on the identity of a Thomas Howard who lives openly as a respectable man who goes to church, loves his family and engages in legitimate dealings. Since most of the original members of the gang are gone, Jesse and his brother Frank (Sam Shepard) in plotting a new heist, have recently recruited some locals, among them Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) who has pleaded to join the gang. Though Robert is taken in, the others think of him as too callow at 19 and “lacking in ingredients” according to Frank. Robert has hero worshipped Jesse from childhood and follows him around with lapdog admiration. On September 7, 1881, Jesse pulls off the last train robbery of his “career”, the so-called Blue Cut Train Robbery. But soon after, there is a gradual falling out among the gang members who begin to distrust each other. Though there is respect for their leader Jesse, there seems also to be fear. Jesse has episodes of brooding and extreme cruelty alternated with moments of courtesy and conviviality. Robert Ford is often the butt of jokes and humiliated, his “affection” for Jesse is gradually transformed into an ambiguous mix of resentment, jealously, fear, and probably greed for the big reward upon Jesse’s capture or death. After the assassination, Jesse’s infamous reputation as a “hero” (in the style of Robin Hood who robbed the rich to give to the poor) refuses to die. Robert Ford’s popularity undergoes change and resentment for him grows.
Based on a successful novel written by Ron Hansen, the movie The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford covers only the last three years of Jesse’s life, yet its length (2 hours 40 minutes) matched with its equally lengthy title seems to parallel the long detailed incisive studies of character usually found in a novel. Indeed, the strength of this movie is the masterful delineation and development of character and the excellent portrayal of these characters by Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. Pitt wears the casual charisma of Jesse like a second skin and as he breathes life into the role, one forgets the superstar Pitt and sees only the complex, often enigmatic Jesse. Same can be said of Affleck who portrays just as complex a character, essaying a broad spectrum of emotions from admiration to humiliation, resentment, jealously, fear and perhaps hatred. But the movie’s strength is also its weakness. Trying to build up the minor characters, the middle section meanders, becomes tedious, goes off tangent, bogs down the overdrawn movie which needs tighter editing. But the beginning and the last thirty minutes are so compelling, even brilliant in its execution. Another plus for the movie is its breathtaking cinematography. One is awed by images of the wide open expanse of empty spaces in both earth and sky as captured by Roger Deakins.
Jesse James’ “fame” has taken a life of its own. No matter how demonized he has been because he has truly done demonic acts, he continues to be idolized by a number of people, especially the young ones because of his bravado, his ability to outwit the law, his charisma to hold the respect and loyalty of his men. And this is where the danger lies. He may have gone to church, was devoted to his family, gave to the poor but he was a man who was ruthless and cruel, capable of brutalizing and killing even the innocent without any qualms of conscience. Just like Robert Ford, the young and even those not so young can be enamored with a legend and be led to imitate, to be like the “hero”. The movie can be a cautionary tale for there are many such “heroes” in society today. Lionized for a few achievements but whose evil deeds are ignored and therefore virtually encouraged. The movie gets a V-18 because of its adult theme and violence.
(Date Reviewed: 21 February 2008)
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