The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Review
By Daniel Rojay

Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man,
He robbed the Danville train,
He stole from the rich and he gave to the poor,
He'd a hand and a heart and a brain.

CHORUS:
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life,
Three children, they were brave;
But the dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave.

Since the time of his death this ballad has been the rosy filter through which Jesse James has been seen. It also remains a pockmark on the reputation of Robert Ford to this day. Andrew Dominik's film, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (based on the book by Ron Hanson), actually puts an end to several of the myths that are often associated with Jesse James and his death.

One of those longstanding myths is the Robin Hood image that most associate with Jesse James. In truth this heroic persona has less to do with fact and more to do with politics. The James family (who had been slave owners) fought on the confederate side during the civil war. After the war the James brothers decided to go forward with a life of violent crime. The first person that Jesse murdered during a bank robbery was a man he claimed had killed one of his friends during the war. This story ended up being false since the man didn't even fight in the war, but it caught the attention of a man named John Newman Edwards, an editor of the Kansas City Times. Edwards was an avid supporter of the former confederacy and was part of a movement to re-claim Missouri as a confederate state, he was also the author of several articles praising Jesse James, and is most responsible for the Robin Hood myth. Although the film doesn't tap into the politics of the day so much as the humanity of the characters, knowing the history of the characters only adds to the potent and detailed story that Dominik captures so well.

The film starts with the introduction of Robert Ford into the James Gang right before The Blue Cut Train Robbery. Robert's brother Charley had been a member of the James gang for a while, and it was his influence that beckoned his brother's induction into the James gang. At first, Robert Ford (Played by Casey Affleck) appears to be a bit of an all too eager opportunist, who makes quite a fool of himself before Jesse's older brother Frank (Played by Sam Shepard). In meeting the James brothers, Ford has met his life long idols, and he immediately tries to make a positive impression on Jesse. Frank becomes quite annoyed by the young starstruck Ford, but Jesse seems to like him, perhaps because Ford's adoration fuels his ego.

The Blue Cut Train Robbery is the first real turning point in the film; it is also the first insight into the dark side of Jesse's personality. When the train attendant refuses to let Jesse into the safe, Jesse proceeds to break his nose, knocking him unconscious. Jesse watches as the man's blood gathers in a pool on the floor, he is transfixed, both exited and disgusted. When he realizes that the man hasn't died Jesse points down his gun to murder the helpless man and is interrupted by Charley Ford's plea to spare the man's life. Jesse reluctantly gives in, demanding that his actions are not to be dictated by others.

This side of Jesse's personality is exposed throughout the film; he seems to struggle with an insatiable lust for violence that lurks within his soul. The film does not paint a black and white picture of Jesse James but rather strips away the layers of folkloric deification until all that is left is a very flawed human being. Jesse James did have a wife and kids; he seems to have possessed some kind of a conscience, but at times he behaved as nothing more than a cold-blooded killer.

The Blue Cut Train Robbery didn't go as well as planned monetarily, and after the robbery the rewards for all the members of the James Gang grew higher and the police became more determined to catch the bunch. As a precaution the gang decided to temporarily split up. This is really when the shit hits the fan as they say, this portion of the film fills us in on the lead up to the death of Mr. James. At first the film seems to meander a bit, but as everything comes together you realize that every single frame of the film is a true necessity.

I do not intend to give away too much of the story for it is the unexpected happenings that often make a film worth while. I will say that this film impressed me to the utmost extent, since every aspect of the production was masterfully executed. The cinematography truly captures the rugged beauty of this story as well as the fragility of the situation. Whether it be the wide shots that capture the often desolate landscape or extreme close ups that show us the inner demons of the characters, the camera work makes us feel as though we are a part of the story. The editing which is simple yet flawless, and the score (by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis) which is minimalistic and truly atmospheric, add to this masterwork.

The acting is superb and the cast really ads to the authenticity of this film. Brad Pitt plays Jesse James in what I perceive as his best role ever. Brad causes you to both love and hate his character; at times you can truly see the soul of Jesse James within the eyes of Pitt. The real tour de force in this film however, is the performance of Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. Casey is quite responsible for causing the viewer to see Robert Ford in a sympathetic light for perhaps the first time on film. Robert Ford is a remarkable character both annoying and endearing, innocent yet scheming, a coward and a hero Affleck transforms into this man of many contradictions with indisputable ease. Other notable performances include Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford, Sam Shepard as Frank James and Paul Schneider as Dick Liddle.
The script by Andrew Dominik sets the foundation for the film. It has a dark beauty and a spirited sense of humor, with its clever dialogue that truly captures the characters in all of their glory and abomination.

 

 

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