The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Director:

Andrew Dominik

Writers (WGA):

Andrew Dominik (screenplay)
Ron Hansen (novel)

Release Date:

10 October 2007 (France)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Western

Plot:

Robert Ford, who's idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.

Plot Keywords:

Smoking | Train Robbery | Bank | Shot In The Leg | Depression

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Brad Pitt	...	Jesse James
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Zee James
Brooklynn Proulx	...	Mary James
Dustin Bollinger	...	Tim James
Casey Affleck	...	Robert Ford
Sam Rockwell	...	Charley Ford
Jeremy Renner	...	Wood Hite
Sam Shepard	...	Frank James
Garret Dillahunt	...	Ed Miller
Paul Schneider	...	Dick Liddil
Joel McNichol	...	Express Messenger
James Defelice	...	Baggagemaster (as James DeFelice)
J.C. Roberts	...	Engineer
Darrell Orydzuk	...	Ukranian Train Passenger
Jonathan Erich Drachenberg	...	Young Train Passenger

Also Known As:

The Assassination of Jesse James (USA) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong violence and brief sexual references.

Runtime:

160 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Ireland:15A | Brazil:14 | Taiwan:R-18 | Sweden:15 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Argentina:13 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R | Netherlands:16 | Germany:12 | South Korea:15 | Japan:PG-12 | Australia:MA | Singapore:NC-16 | Canada:14A | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The singer whom Robert Ford confronts in the bar towards the end of film is Nick Cave, a composer for the film.

Goofs:

GOOF-DATEE: In the scene where Robert Ford is working in the general store, there is a bicycle leaning against the wall. It is supposed to be the type of bicycle from that period, a so-called 'highwheel', aka 'Ordinary' or 'Pennyfarthing'. However, the bike posed here is a contemporary type intended for use by circuses and parade riders, and is only superficially similar to the correct kind.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: He was growing into middle age, and was living then in a bungalow on Woodland Avenue. He installed himself in a rocking chair and smoked a cigar down in the evenings as his wife wiped her pink hands on an apron and reported happily on their two children...

Movie Connections:

References Gladiator (2000)

Soundtrack:

Jesse James

Great but hard to sell...

If you have watched the trailer and know this movie is two hours and forty minutes long you know what you are getting into and should not be disappointed. This movie delivers on every level of film making, be it cinematography, acting, or writing. Casey Affleck delivers a fantastic performance in how he portrays Robert Ford as the bright eyed fawning kid in a way so sincere it makes the audience uncomfortable even when it shouldn't. Brad Pitt underplays his part as Jesse James hitting all the right notes while never saying much. Exactly the way one would expect an outlaw to act when they have everything in the world to hide. I can't say the movie didn't FEEL two hours and forty minutes long but I never wanted it to end sooner than it did. I guess I just enjoyed the time I got to spend watching these characters for the full running time.

I loved this movie. Unfortunately, a long western without action is something seemingly impossible to sell to the public these days. It would be to the advantage of the studio to sell this like The English Patient was sold 10 years ago. Just make people feel like ignorant idiots if they don't like it! As much as it pains me to say it, I think most people don't care enough to bother seeing what makes this movie so great. The only other option to make this a success is to fool them into THINKING they love the movie. I'm really curious how many folks out there that like the movie agree with me here.