Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford

In this, his second feature since Chopper, the New Zealand-born director makes an impact as an excellent storyteller. It is not a very bloody or violent affair, but a captivating film surrounding the most famous outlaw in American history and enveloping the viewer in 1880s USA. It rivals or even surpasses the novels from that era and a whole string of classical westerns. The majestic skies and landscapes are highly impressive, but the film is most interested in the psychological make-up of the characters, simply letting their day-to-day activities speak for themselves. Brad Pitt is great as Jesse James, (Best Actor, Venice 2007) but Casey Affleck's fine performance as the titular coward is utterly compelling.