The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford - Andrew Dominik (2007)

With a title as long as its running time, it would be fair to say that The Assassination of Jesse James has also been long delayed, due as it was for release in 2006. 

Normal signs would suggest a cinematic turkey all lined up for Christmas, but Writer/Director Andrew Dominik has used this time to perfect his vision. By taking on Jesse James, America's first celebrity, Dominik's casting of one of the world's biggest, Brad Pitt, has conspired to create a slow-burning epic, a film of rare beauty.    

There are no surprises in how the story ends, the title says it all, but the beauty is in how the tale unfolds.  Faithfully adapted from Roger Deakin's fictional account, the focus is on the developing relationship between Robert Ford and Jesse James.    

It's 1881 and Jesse is 34 years old and already the stuff of legend. The James Gang are about to make the final train robbery of their 14 year career. New to the group, 19 year old Robert Ford works tirelessly to get close to his hero, little realising that his adoration will slowly turn to contempt and mark him out as "the dirty little coward" that shot Jesse James.  

Filmed in the open spaces of Canada, Roger Deakin's cinematography is filled with blurred images of earth colours and luminous landscapes set to a melancholic piano soundtrack. It's Terrence Malick, it's classic cinema of the 70s made in the 00s, it's a poetic western without a cowboy hat in sight, brought to life by two Oscar-worthy performances.   

Brad Pitt works best when he plays characters on the fringes of society, whether in Fight Club or Twelve Monkeys, there is an edgy vanity and subtly in these performances, but none more so than here.  You only need read Ron Hansen's book, on which the film is based, to see how close Pitt plays it to the page, a legend more than aware of his own status and imminent downfall.    

It isn't Pitt that steals the show but Casey Affleck as the naive and insecure fan boy who longs to be like his hero - the discovery of a box of his own hidden Jesse James memorabilia causing much embarrassment - chasing his own celebrity to its all too inevitable conclusion.  

The most criminal thing about The Assassination of Jesse James is its underwhelming performance at the US box office, largely as a result of its near three hour running time; it's fair to say it's been a bad box office year for good movies in Hollywood.  Those prepared to believe the hype and invest the time will catch one of the best films of 2007.