Best Western Since Unforgiven

Rating: 9/10 (24 January 2008)

One of the finest western movies this viewer has ever seen. There is so much atmosphere here it's hard to take it all in. Truly amazing cinematography with every device imaginable. As for the story it's quite interesting because it doesn't try to be too broad, it's narrowly about how Robert Ford's emotional state was such that his idolization of Jesse James turned into an all consuming paranoia...Ultimately leading to the "cowardice" way he assassinated who was at the time Missouri's most wanted outlaw.
The eccentricity and malevolent ways of Jesse James are portrayed stunningly well by Brad Pitt. Its the framework the entire movie hangs on as there is simply no story without this infamous western icon being portrayed realistically...Exuding dark menace and creating palpable fear among friend and foe alike. James may be a folk hero to some, but Pitt shows him as a heartless and unconscionable empty soul. Devoid of a moral compass, James can shoot a "friend" in the back without remorse or pistol whip a young child experiencing no regrets. In spite of this unrepentant personality James was very charismatic...This is a juxtaposition certainly driven home by Pitt's screen presence-simply put, he is the "Outlaw Jesse James".
This dark backdrop brings us to Casey Affleck's Robert Ford. With James you want him to get caught, but you like him regardless. But, with Ford I was as conflicted as was his character so miraculously inhabited by Affleck. Is Ford as evil as James? Is he sane or insane? Though not loyal is he doing his fellow citizens some kind of justice that he should be commended for? The answers, all of them, are being pondered in every frame here. What may appear to be a slow paced movie is so packed with morality plays it's nothing short of amazing. True excellence in directing and writing make this a wringing experience to watch. But watch you will and somehow two and a half hours pass with little or no regard.
Do not miss this movie. Brad Pitt has already shown he can inhabit a character completely, here he raises his personal bar to the highest yet. Casey Affleck will, after this, be A-listed simply because he is able to stand toe to toe with Pitt's great performance, maybe even playing a more difficult character in the bargain and doing so with aplomb. Westerns don't come better...And to beat all it's based on historical truth!