The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Rent & Buy
Outlaw Jesse James is rumored to be the 'fastest gun in the West'. An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status.
What critics thought
A film that divides along a single fault line: admirers see a brooding, literary Western of genuine ambition — one that maps the psychology of fame, envy, and self-destruction through two extraordinary lead performances and some of the most celebrated cinematography in recent memory — while detractors find its languid pacing and repetitive scenes more punishing than poetic. The gap between those who consider it a neglected masterpiece and those who found it an endurance test has not really closed with time.
“Stunning visuals, award-worthy performances, and a script that takes incredibly rewarding risks, Jesse James is a masterpiece and one of the best films of the year.”
Brian Tallerico·UGO
“The only false note is the use of a supercilious third-person narrative voiceover, which smudges the picture's crispness and clarity.”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“The relationship between Pitt and Affleck gets smothered in pointlessly long takes, repetitive scenes, grim Western landscapes and mumbled, heavily accented dialogue.”
Kirk Honeycutt·The Hollywood Reporter
“Every element of this Western is beautifully rendered. So why is it a chore to sit through?”
Bob Strauss·Los Angeles Daily News
“the cinematography may speak to Mr. Dominik's yearning for meaning and importance more than it does of his outlaw, but the visuals often dazzle and enthrall.”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
Accolades
Genres
Biography, Crime, Drama
Cast & Crew
Andrew DominikDirector
Brad PittJesse James
Casey AffleckRobert Ford
Sam RockwellCharley Ford
Paul SchneiderDick Liddil
Jeremy RennerWood Hite
Garret DillahuntEd Miller
Sam ShepardFrank James
Mary-Louise ParkerZee James
Zooey DeschanelDorothy Evans
Ted LevineSheriff Timberlake
Michael ParksHenry Craig
Alison ElliottMartha Bolton
Warren EllisComposer
Nick CaveComposer
Roger DeakinsCinematographyFrom the studio
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Outlaw Jesse James is rumored to be the 'fastest gun in the West'. An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status.
What critics thought
A film that divides along a single fault line: admirers see a brooding, literary Western of genuine ambition — one that maps the psychology of fame, envy, and self-destruction through two extraordinary lead performances and some of the most celebrated cinematography in recent memory — while detractors find its languid pacing and repetitive scenes more punishing than poetic. The gap between those who consider it a neglected masterpiece and those who found it an endurance test has not really closed with time.
“Stunning visuals, award-worthy performances, and a script that takes incredibly rewarding risks, Jesse James is a masterpiece and one of the best films of the year.”
Brian Tallerico·UGO
“The only false note is the use of a supercilious third-person narrative voiceover, which smudges the picture's crispness and clarity.”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“The relationship between Pitt and Affleck gets smothered in pointlessly long takes, repetitive scenes, grim Western landscapes and mumbled, heavily accented dialogue.”
Kirk Honeycutt·The Hollywood Reporter
“Every element of this Western is beautifully rendered. So why is it a chore to sit through?”
Bob Strauss·Los Angeles Daily News
“the cinematography may speak to Mr. Dominik's yearning for meaning and importance more than it does of his outlaw, but the visuals often dazzle and enthrall.”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
Accolades
Genres
Biography, Crime, Drama
Cast & Crew
Andrew DominikDirectorBrad PittJesse JamesCasey AffleckRobert FordSam RockwellCharley FordPaul SchneiderDick LiddilJeremy RennerWood HiteGarret DillahuntEd MillerSam ShepardFrank JamesMary-Louise ParkerZee JamesZooey DeschanelDorothy EvansTed LevineSheriff TimberlakeMichael ParksHenry CraigAlison ElliottMartha BoltonWarren EllisComposerNick CaveComposerRoger DeakinsCinematographyFrom the studio
Rent & Buy