The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2 Disc Limited Collector's Edition) [2007] - Warner Home Video

Indeed

That was possibly the biggest let down in the history of film. I enjoyed Waterworld more!

absolute briliance

I watched this film expecting to like it and was pleasantly suprised. It could even be, dare I say it, one of my favourite films.
The acting by all of the actors is faultless but Brad Pitt as the clearly quite disturbed Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford are brilliant. The atmosphere between the two characters is electric from the outset and is built apon throught the film untill the actuall assasination. You even feel sorry for Robert Ford before the inevitable happens. The film itself flows almost like poetry, helped by a narrator that gives a narrative of the final years of Jesse James as the film goes on. Some reviewers have commented on how 'even the narrator sounds bored' but to me, the slow, dreary voice of the narrator works in the films favour.
Although i personally thought the film was genious, i can see why some people might not like it as it is a very slow pace film.
In my opinion the best of the modern batch of westerns that are being released recently but i haven't seen 'there will be blood' so that spot could well be taken soon.

not your typical western

i stopped watching westerns a long time ago thinking they had had their day. the long title of this film intrigued me nevertheless and i was so glad that curiosity got the better of me. Conditioned by 'orthodox' westerns i wondered where the 'action' was until i realised i was watching a work of art which needed close attention. The dialogue, the photography (landscapes, skies), lighting (the night robbery of a train early on stayed with me )the wonderful music score, the camera lingering on shots, the slow and tense unfolding of the inevitable with an unexpected coda ending; it held me and i didn't want it all to end. The principals were brilliant, especially Affleck and all praise to the supporting cast. this film is immensely satisfying and made me want to watch it all over again to discover what i may have missed.

Jesus, Judas and a nickel plated Smith & Wesson.

What we're getting here is the third act of a three act tragedy. It has the dark gritty realism, and the earthy character driven quality we've come to expect from the modern western but I have to say falls short.

They've given this the 'High Noon' treatment (...without the high - and it's not noon), you know there's a fatal confrontation ahead and are treated to some fine drama in the build up (...two and a half hours of fine drama). Pitt does a good job, Rockwell shines effortlessly and there are some great moments. The sound of Robert Ford getting out of bed in the night still lingers.

Think 'The Passion of the Christ' only James not Jesus and Ford not Judas and you won't go far wrong. The documentary was brilliant it touches on the early life of Jesse James and the legend he became. All of which is missing from the movie. Chris Pine (..or an air brushed Pitt) in a barnstorming action packed prequel would complete this as a well rounded western biopic. Adios.

NOT FOR ME

Theres not many films that I wouldnt watch to the end, but this is one of them. Im sorry but it nearly put me to sleep! Not my cup of tea.