December 25, 2008.

A moody, well acted film.

Rating: 3
Though this film moves at a crawling pace at more than one point, it keeps your interest, even though you know exactly how it ends. I normally despise westerns, but I heard nothing but praise for this film, and especially Casey Affleck, so I put my feelings aside for a while. I really wish it wasn't as long as it was. I understand it was attempting to establish mood, and suspense. It does succeed, for the most part, but truly, if it wasn't for the wonderful performances, it would be an utterly bland snooze-fest.

The feel and look of the film reminds you of a constantly moving photograph, straight from another century. It really is gorgeous. The musical score is virtually the same throughout the entire movie, but it is effective. It sets the perfect mood. It feels ominous and fits seamlessy with this film.

If it wasn't nearly 3 hours long, it would have been a masterfully perfect movie, one that doesn't come around that often. There is not much backstory, except with snippets of voiceover, but it is enough that we know who and what Jesse James was, and what he meant to people, even after his death. The title is long, but fitting.

December 24, 2008.

Beautiful film w/powerful story.

Rating: 5
Beautiful film that is almost like art to watch. Brad Pitt captures the character of a man tormented, ruthless, and even suicidal, but trapped in a legend bigger than any man can bear. Casey Afflack portrays a man who idolizes Jesse, but who in the end comes to hate him and love him at the same time. Violent, but how can it not be? But the violence fits the era and the storyline. Excellent acting, beautiful cinematography, intriguing story.

December 13, 2008.

Stunning Photography & Great Acting.

Rating: 5
This is an unusual movie, especially for a modern-day-filmed western.

Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are the "stars" of this movie but the biggest star to me was Roger Deakins, the man who photographed this film. Wow, this is beautiful! It's so stunning to look at in so many spots that there were many times I was more involved in the visuals than the story. In that sense, it reminded me of the marvelously-photographed films of Terrence Malick. Kudos to Andrew Dominik for a similar style directorial performance here.

Regarding the story, here's a warning to those who are expecting the normal western fare and want to see the usual amount of gun battles and related action scenes. This film is 2 hour and 40 minutes and there are not many "action" scenes. If you are hoping to see another "3:10 To Yuma" re-make, you will be very disappointed. This story is slow. It's a character study of Jesse James and the man who killed him, Robert Ford.

That said, I still found it a memorable film. The photography, the great acting and the uniqueness of the story were all good enough to keep me interested throughout. For once, I was glad to see James portrayed more realistically. Despite what you've seen on film in the past, this man was not a hero, folks. Sure he was a likable guy at times, and a nice father at times, too, but he was a thief and, much worse, a cold-blooded killer. You see that in this film.

I have to say I can't remember a film I've seen in recent years in which the two lead characters (James and R. Ford) were so strange and unpredictable. For that, I have to really compliment the work of Pitt and Affleck. They were amazing and kept me guessing throughout the movie. They played very complex people.

Overall, once I realized this wasn't a "shoot-em-up" western, and just sat back and appreciated the storytelling, wonderful visuals, low-key narration, fabulous sets, scenery and acting....I ended up being very impressed.

December 11, 2008.

Snow Bank.

Rating: 4
The movie has a very long title. Interestingly enough, the screenplay's copyright is held by Warner Bros. This corporate screenplay was directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik. The Australian Film Institute gave him a Best Achievement in Directing award for Chopper. If you read the title, you know what happens in the film; so Domink tries to make it interesting to watch HOW it unfolds. We get some of the flashback of the last James Gang robbery in Blue Cut, Missouri. The film comments on how powerful a figure Jesse James was -- just in case Brad Pitt wasn't able to communicate that. Pitt actually won a Golden Globe in 1995 for 12 Monkeys (Special Edition). He does a good job showing the instability & charisma of James. However, the hints and lack of explanation of the seeming attraction that James held for Robert Ford gave much of the movie its tension.

Casey Affleck's breakthrough performance as Ford earned him nominations for an Oscar, SAG award, Golden Globe, and from film societies in Chicago, Detroit, Toronto & Utah. He won awards from the National Board of Review, the National Society of Film Critics, the San Francisco Film Critics Circle & St. Louis Gateway Film Critics. His quick smile and darting eyes bounced uncertainly from seeking approval to chronic worry.

Supporting performances are also of note. Sam Shepard was nominated for a supporting actor Oscar for The Right Stuff in 1983. As Frank James, his one note is a strong one, the silent thoughtful brother. Mary Louise Parker won an Emmy in 2004 for "Angels in America" and two Golden Globes for cable TV's "Weeds." As Jesse's wife Zee, she gives presence to a role that only takes the camera by storm during the bloody climax. Sam Rockwell won a Best Actor award from the Montreal World Film Festival for one of my favorite films, Lawn Dogs, as well as a strong role in "The Green Mile." As Robert Ford's brother Charley, he plays the slow-witted but likeable guy who decides blood commands the greatest loyalty. Jeremy Renner who was in North Country (Widescreen Edition) does an excellent job as Wood Hite whose bare body gets dumped in a snow bank after itchy trigger fingers splinter the gang. Paul Schneider who had an excellent role in Lars and the Real Girl does a good job as the unstable silver-tongued gang member Dick Liddle who winds up hiding in a storage space. Garret Dillahunt whose good looks were trashed for this film plays the frightened liar Ed Miller who goes on a midnight ride with Jesse, never to return. Dillahunt had previously worked on cable TV's "The 4400" & in No Country for Old Men.

While the pacing is slow, I suppose it's expected when we already know the climax. The San Francisco Film Critic gave this a Best Picture Award. Roger Deakins won cinematography awards from the Chicago Film Critics & the Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics. The film is visually stunning. Overall, I enjoyed the movie. I did watch about a third of it in French after watching the English, which was interesting. There are no extra features here; so it is a minimalist package on DVD worth an evening's viewing. Enjoy!

December 06, 2008.

Post Post John Wayne.

Rating: 4
The Wild West comes to life, a Post-Post, John Wayne era western, full of psychological whimsy and moody brooding. The world of the West, a wilderness with occasional towns, leaves men and women on their own to prosper and defend what they have. The outlaw essentially takes what he wants, plays god with the lives of others, and has a domestic life tinged by short life spans. The angel of death always seems to be lurking in a Victorian sort of way.

Jesse is nuts, and Ford is afraid for his own life. That's the take on the old assassination legend. Fascinating really.