[7]

Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck star in Andrew Dominik’s dramatization of the last months of famous outlaw Jesse James’ life. Pitt plays James and Affleck plays his admirer-turned-assassin, Robert Ford. The young Ford character is smitten from the outset, but ridicule from James and the other gang members slowly hardens his heart. Jealousy eventually turns him against his idol. As James, Pitt is unstable and unpredictable — never sure if the people who creep into his life can be trusted. The first half of the film is about reluctant camraderie, but the second half is drenched in outright paranoia. Ford thinks James is going to kill him. James thinks Ford is going to kill him. But they keep putting up facades to try and fake the other out. If you don’t know the story, the film’s narrator will tell you from the beginning what is going to happen. But Dominik weaves commendable dramatic tension in his slow reveals of the ‘how’ and ‘why’.

Pitt and Affleck are both very good, and there are fine supporting turns from Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard, and Jeremy Renner. Famed political pundit James Carville makes an interesting appearance as the governor. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is (as always) beautiful to behold and Dominik shows great directing chops. The redundant score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis is a weak point, though. And it’s a shame to cast Mary-Louise Parker in a movie without giving her much to do. With Michael Parks and Ted Levine.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck), Cinematography (Roger Deakins)