The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford

The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford- By 1881 the glory days of the James Gang were far behind them. All that remained of the original group were oldest brother Frank, and of course, Jesse. The gang now consisted of country simpletons desperately desiring to bask in the glow of the two criminal and American legends. None was more honest about his longing to be near it than a man named Robert Ford.
Written and directed by Andrew Dominik (based on the novel by Ron Hansen), "Assassination" is the story of a young man's need for validation from his idol and what happens when he does not receive it. Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) first sees his hero sitting around a campfire, sharing stories and jokes with those around him. It is a very human moment that Robert first sees Jesse (Brad Pitt) in, but one look at Robert's face suggests otherwise.
His older brother Charlie (Sam Rockwell, "Galaxy Quest") is a part of the gang and maybe the one member who isn't there for some sort of reflected glory. He's just having a good time. Robert begs Frank James (Sam Shepard) to become a member of the gang. Frank wants no part of him ("You give me the willies") but Robert's persistence wins over Jesse.
What follows is one of the most well put together sequences I have seen on film in a very long time. The train robbery is brimming with atmosphere and a sense of wonder. It's as if we are seeing it through Robert's imagination, the smoke and train lights making it all feel like a dream. It is in stark contrast to the brutality that Jesse displays on the train. This is a man who isn't afraid to kill, even when no one else sees the necessity.
After the robbery, the gang splits up, Frank gives up criminal life for good, and it's not long before Jesse is forced to move his family once again. Taking Robert into his home leads to some uncomfortable moments. "Do you wanna be like me, or do you wanna BE me?" Jesse asks, just before asking him to leave. After this the paths of Jesse and Robert only intersect here and there, but with each meeting Jesse falls several notches in Robert's eyes. This is not the man he'd grown up reading about in dime novels.
"Assassination" shows Robert Ford as possibly the first celebrity stalker, and we see wide-eyed wonder turn to disappointment and finally to bitter resentment. Casey Affleck's performance is truly incredible. He is childlike and off-putting in the same moment. Rockwell's work as Charlie is equally impressive. No one does the fake "I'm smiling so I don't get shot" smile like he does. He knows his younger brother well and while he often treats him poorly there is still a fierce loyalty there. But it is Pitt who gives the performance of his career. His eyes speak volumes and yet he never fully lets us in, just as the character never fully lets anyone in, even his own family. Every time we think we have Jesse figured out, Pitt takes him another direction that we never expect. He makes the man unknowable in the same way that a celebrity, or a legend, is unknowable. In a career full of great performances, this is his best work.
We know from the title what the outcome of this film is going to be. What makes this a great movie is the journey there. The "assassination" scene is a moment of perfection, and the aftermath lifts this film into the stratosphere.
Long delayed, "Assassination" proves to be worth the wait. Dominik writes some of the best dialogue of the year and his direction is every bit as great. The cinematography of Roger Deakins and the musical score of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis combine to create an atmosphere that is both beautiful and mournful. The supporting cast is stellar. No matter how brief the role, Mary-Louise Parker (as Jesse's wife Zee), Ted Levine, and Paul Schneider (as Dick Liddil) do incredible work. There is also a brief appearance near film's end by the always welcome Zooey Deschanel.
"The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford" is a film that takes its time (2 hours and 40 minutes) but never drags. It is an enthralling experience and one of the best movies of 2007. This is a film that will stick with you for days afterward. 10/10.

I also finally got myself to David Cronenberg's "Eastern Promises." While nowhere near the level of "A History of Violence" or "eXistenZ," it's a good film with fine performances all around (especially Viggo Mortensen and Vincent Cassell). It is Cronenberg though, so be prepared for some truly grotesque moments. 7.5/10.

And just in case I haven't fully sold you (and I don't know how that's possible), here is the trailer for "The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford":