The film--only the second to be made by New Zealand?born writer-director Andrew Dominik--reminds us that Dominik's debut film, Chopper (2000), was the cunningly off-kilter portrait of another real-life criminal psychopath who became a kind of rock star to his society. The Jesse James of this telling is no Robin Hood robbing the rich to give to the poor, and that train robbery we witness is punctuated by acts of gratuitous brutality, not gallantry. Nineteen-year-old Bob Ford (Casey Affleck) seeks to join the James gang out of hero worship stoked by the dime novels he secretes under his bed, but his glam hero (Brad Pitt) is a monster who takes private glee in infecting his accomplices with his own paranoia, then murdering them for it. In the careful orchestration of James's final moments, there's even a hint that he takes satisfaction in his own demise.

Affleck and Pitt (who co-produced with Ridley Scott, among others) are mesmerizing in the title roles, but the movie is enriched by an exceptional supporting cast: Sam Shepard as Jesse's older, more stable brother Frank; Sam Rockwell as Bob Ford's own brother Charlie, whose post-assassination descent into madness is astonishing to behold; Paul Schneider, Garret Dillahunt, and Jeremy Renner as three variously doomed gang members; and Mary-Louise Parker, who as Jesse's wife Zee has few lines yet manages with looks and body language to invoke a wellnigh-novelistic backstory for herself. There are also electrifying cameos by James Carville, doing solid actorly work as the governor of Missouri; Ted Levine, as a lawman of antic spirit; and Nick Cave, composer of the film's score (with Warren Ellis) and screenwriter of the Aussie "Western" The Proposition, suddenly towering over a late scene to perform the folk song that set the terms for the book and movie's title.

Still, the real costar is Roger Deakins, probably the finest cinematographer at work today. The landscapes of the movie (mostly in Alberta and Manitoba) will linger in the memory as long as the distinctive faces, and we seem to feel the sting of its snows on our cheeks. Interior scenes are equally persuasive. Few Westerns have conveyed so tangibly the bleakness and austerity of the spaces people of the frontier called home, and sought in vain to warm with human spirit. --Richard T. Jameson

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford [Blu-ray]

• Michael Clayton [Blu-ray]
• No Country for Old Men [Blu-ray]
• American Gangster [Blu-ray]
• Gone Baby Gone [Blu-ray]
• 3:10 to Yuma [Blu-ray]
• There Will Be Blood [Blu-ray]
• In the Valley of Elah [Blu-ray]
• The Brave One [Blu-ray]
• We Own the Night [Blu-ray]
• I Am Legend [Blu-ray]

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. 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. It sets the perfect mood. It feels ominous and fits seamlessy with this film. The feel and look of the film reminds you of a constantly moving photograph, straight from another century. I understand it was attempting to establish mood, and suspense. It really is gorgeous.

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. 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. The title is long, but fitting. The musical score is virtually the same throughout the entire movie, but it is effective. If it wasn't nearly 3 hours long, it would have been a masterfully perfect movie, one that doesn't come around that often.

Brad Pitt captures the character of a man tormented, ruthless, and even suicidal, but trapped in a legend bigger than any man can bear. Excellent acting, beautiful cinematography, intriguing story. Beautiful film that is almost like art to watch. 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.

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. 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. If you are hoping to see another "3:10 To Yuma" re-make, you will be very disappointed. 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. For that, I have to really compliment the work of Pitt and Affleck.

This film is 2 hour and 40 minutes and there are not many "action" scenes. This is an unusual movie, especially for a modern-day-filmed western. You see that in this film. Wow, this is beautiful.

It's a character study of Jesse James and the man who killed him, Robert Ford. The photography, the great acting and the uniqueness of the story were all good enough to keep me interested throughout. 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. 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. They were amazing and kept me guessing throughout the movie. That said, I still found it a memorable film.

Kudos to Andrew Dominik for a similar style directorial performance here. They played very complex people.

This story is slow. 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.

Despite what you've seen on film in the past, this man was not a hero, folks. For once, I was glad to see James portrayed more realistically. Ford) were so strange and unpredictable.

However, the hints and lack of explanation of the seeming attraction that James held for Robert Ford gave much of the movie its tension. This corporate screenplay was directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik. Interestingly enough, the screenplay's copyright is held by Warner Bros. Overall, I enjoyed the movie.

Roger Deakins won cinematography awards from the Chicago Film Critics & the Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics. Dillahunt had previously worked on cable TV's "The 4400" & in No Country for Old Men. There are no extra features here; so it is a minimalist package on DVD worth an evening's viewing. As Frank James, his one note is a strong one, the silent thoughtful brother. The Australian Film Institute gave him a Best Achievement in Directing award for Chopper.

Pitt actually won a Golden Globe in 1995 for 12 Monkeys (Special Edition). Sam Shepard was nominated for a supporting actor Oscar for The Right Stuff in 1983. The film is visually stunning. 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. His quick smile and darting eyes bounced uncertainly from seeking approval to chronic worry. The movie has a very long title. If you read the title, you know what happens in the film; so Domink tries to make it interesting to watch HOW it unfolds.

He won awards from the National Board of Review, the National Society of Film Critics, the San Francisco Film Critics Circle & St. The San Francisco Film Critic gave this a Best Picture Award. I did watch about a third of it in French after watching the English, which was interesting. 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. Enjoy.

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. Supporting performances are also of note. He does a good job showing the instability & charisma of James. 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. Louis Gateway Film Critics. 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. 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. 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. While the pacing is slow, I suppose it's expected when we already know the climax.

That's the take on the old assassination legend. 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 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 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. Fascinating really.