Stunning in every way

Rating: 10/10 (7 December 2007)

This film provides a cinematic experience that left me thinking I had just seen one of the greatest films ever made. It was a treat in every way from the superb acting (from Affleck and Pitt as well as the excellent Paul Schneider as Dick Liddle) to the haunting Nick Cave score, from the beautiful scenery to the thoughtful direction. Two particular things to praise - firstly I was concerned that the last half hour after James' death might be unnecessary but I left thinking that it was possibly the best part of the film and indeed served to accentuate that this film really is far more about the tragic character of Robert Ford than it is about Jesse James. Secondly as somebody that is very interested in American history I thought that the film did an impressive job of creating an atmosphere that felt genuinely authentic. The towns, the people, the music, the imagery - everything seemed to perfectly reflect the change, excitement and brutality of the post-Civil War era.