A long and detailed look at the supposed assassin of the famous outlaw Jesse James

Rating: 8/10 (10 July 2008)

With a long title, this long and serious film takes a hard and detailed look at the self claimed assassin of Jesse James through a soft, romantic and warm lens. I'm not familiar with the details of this famous 19th century American outlaw and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. So, I cannot attest to it's historical accuracy. In this film, the focus is more on the motives of his would be assassin. For those not familiar with the circumstances after the death of Jesse James, there is a surprise in store near the end of the film. From beginning to end, there's plenty of biographical information, narrated, to inform those not familiar with the details of Jesse James and the story of his supposed assassin.
Acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins provides some exceptionally beautiful widescreen Western style photography. For a complicated and dark story, we, the audience, are viewing it through a soft, sentimental, warm and romantic lens. Casey Affleck's performance as the assassin Robert Ford is convincingly complicated and serious.
I'm a modest fan of old westerns and more a fan of biographical films of famous historical people. The photography and detailed narration initially drew me into this film. The screenplay, with it's carefully used and timed narration, works effectively throughout the entire film. Curiosity about the famous outlaw aside, the excellent cinematography of Roger Deakins and the acting performance of Casey Affleck, make this long film absorbing and engaging from beginning to end.
2 Academy Award Nominations: Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins) and Best Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck).