Good acting with a beautiful background

Rating: Null/10 (12 January 2008)

This film is contemplative, poetic and not for impatient people. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford takes its time with every scene. It concentrates on words, images and expressions of the characters. There are lots of long close-ups but the actors manage them well as they also do with their roles in general. The film is full of beautiful sceneries from the American nature and the scenes look like video strips shot in the late 19th century because of their multiple details. The soundtrack fits in nicely. Excellent work altogether. The characters aren't introduced too well in the beginning so if the viewer wishes to keep up with the plot and the characters from the start, I recommend studying the history sources concerning Jesse James and Robert Ford before seeing the picture. This film isn't about twists and turns in the plot but the characters and the atmosphere. It's a historical movie so one can assume many viewers are familiar with the events beforehand. Because of the title, at least the outcome shouldn't be a secret to anyone.
The film starts slowly but builds up the suspense towards the end. The last scenes are very intense and worth waiting for. I recommend The Assassination of Jesse James as a "one-view" movie, meaning that it is a good film but maybe seeing it once is enough. It's the kind of film that offers you everything it has on a single view. I enjoyed this film but I'm afraid watching it second time would get me bored.