Heavyweight take on historical events

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2010)

Until last night I had struggled to find the right opportunity to watch this movie. Sometimes I find a movie that I know I will have to be prepared for, to be completely attentive in order to fully appreciate it. This was one of those movies for me. I had been put off by the fact that it was going to be quite a long film which, essentially, I knew the outcome of before even watching. If you don't know the history behind the real life character of Jesse James before then the title is a real giveaway as to what to expect in terms of its ending - but this is in no way a bad thing. I began to watch this in bed while feeling quite sleepy. I half expected to switch it off halfway through and watch the rest another time. Impossible. Historically, the accounts of Jesse James's murder allowed Jesse an immortality through legend. Robert Ford was portrayed as the coward who shot an unarmed man in the back. This movie does not take sides however which allows the viewer a much more open experience. However, it does allow the Ford brothers a fairer representation than they have had before. Essentially the movie portrays James and Ford as the characters they were - flawed human beings whose lives were shaped by how they reacted to circumstances around them. Pitt gives an incredible performance as Jesse the man, not the legend. He steals and he murders. He does what he deems is necessary. As Ford, Affleck is unforgettable. Watching him twist through a range of emotions as he journeys with his hero is intriguing. He is fragile, yet vicious; torn between feelings of adulation and disgust towards Jesse the man, not the legend he envisaged. The cinematography and musical score capture the mood of the movie perfectly. Silence is often preferred to the masculine speeches and action expected of western movies. This gives us time to assess what life would have been like back then. Far more ruralised, lonely and silent. But also a ruthless world where your own survival could come at the cost of killing another man. We get to witness cold acts of murder as they are - necessary to the person committing them. This movie is highly engaging from start to finish. The intriguing relationship between James and Ford is a seriously fresh take on actual events. The two and half hours flew by for me which is often the sign of a great movie. The only thing that annoyed me while watching was in the bar scene when Ford has been mocked in a song and announces to a silenced bar who he is. After this he falls on the floor drunk then leaves silently. I think there was serious potential here for a legendary speech to be made by Affleck. It would have given more weight to the argument that Ford's role in the saga has been unfairly misrepresented over time. Perhaps this wasn't done so that the movie could remain neutral to interpretation where a rousing speech may have caused the viewer to sympathise with Ford. Overall I have given the movie 9 out of 10 because it is an unforgettable story and arguably the best western this century. The actual assassination scene remains wide open to interpretation. Do I think James wanted to die? No. But in the moment he dropped his guns I think that he embraced and accepted death.