tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post2049578508285243984..comments2023-07-01T05:05:31.938-04:00Comments on Films Worth Watching: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) - Directed by Andrew DominikJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-56692062451188664892011-06-14T08:19:23.185-04:002011-06-14T08:19:23.185-04:00You're right about Pitt's characterization...You're right about Pitt's characterization in that he does seem haunted and sure of his certain fate. He definitely got that right and it was palpable the way he was anticipating his death. Affleck's Ford is very immature for sure and reacts like a child would, good insight.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-71809201427852563912011-06-13T20:16:38.912-04:002011-06-13T20:16:38.912-04:00Definitely, Affleck is amazing in this movie and h...Definitely, Affleck is amazing in this movie and he was robbed when he didn't win Best Supporting Actor - losing to Bardem for just looking grim and killing people. Every line Affleck delivers is so much part of the character. Love it when he reacts like a little kid to the bullies who rummage through his box of Jesse James things. But I was touched by Pitt's James as well. He comes off as so haunted, grimly expecting death at any instant.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-27487830409409011212011-06-13T14:42:52.667-04:002011-06-13T14:42:52.667-04:00Hey Hokahey thanks for commenting. There are a lot...Hey Hokahey thanks for commenting. There are a lot of moments in the film that ring true and I think that's what keeps the pace moving despite the length. Every moment by itself is done right, building toward the greater effect of the entire film. As I mentioned before, Pitt doesn't usually do much for me as an actor and it was similar here, which isn't to say it's a flaw of the film, but it wasn't necessary for me to totally "get" his character. His was a "fading rock star" kind of performance and the film needed that persona. What pulled me in emotionally was actually Affleck. He affected me in a unique way, more than anyone else in the film.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-66410726552531565442011-06-13T11:47:23.428-04:002011-06-13T11:47:23.428-04:00Jonny - Well done here. This is one of my favorite...Jonny - Well done here. This is one of my favorite movies of the past ten years and I recently watched it again - after seeing <i>The Tree of Life</i> and feeling a craving some more awesome cinematography. Deakins's camerawork certainly captures the gravity of a given moment. I love the shot of Jesse shooting at the fish under the ice. I love the shot of Bob pumping water on the fateful morning - the water slightly sped up. Yes, the story develops slowly but it builds to a very tense climax. I agree Affleck's performance is tremendous - but Pitt is excellent as well. I love when Jesse asks Bob what the stew needs and Bob, befuddled by the question, says, "Dumplings?" in such a weak way.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-53969215924046723522011-06-12T21:40:13.526-04:002011-06-12T21:40:13.526-04:00Hey Sam, thanks for the comments. There was a poin...Hey Sam, thanks for the comments. There was a point as I was watching the film where I wondered if it was the same narrator from the documentary on the Civil War, but it wasn't as I checked after. It just had that same sort of tone and mood to it. Perfect for this film. Yes now that you mention it, the score was very good. I think I probably was so distracted by the visuals, but the score deserves mention as you noted.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-77085002006351061352011-06-12T10:10:42.244-04:002011-06-12T10:10:42.244-04:00This is indeed a very great film, a revisionist We...This is indeed a very great film, a revisionist Western par excellence. Excellent point you make suggesting the 'mournaful tone' in Burns's THE CIVIL WAR mirroring some of the historical, documentary-like passages. The leads are outstanding, and as you note Roger Deakins is a major player, as in fact are Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, who penned one of the most unforgettable scores of the 2000's. This is one of my favorite films of the new millenium.<br /><br />Wonderful essay!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-13850194770942765992011-06-08T07:44:58.474-04:002011-06-08T07:44:58.474-04:00Shubhajit thanks for the comments. We both agree o...Shubhajit thanks for the comments. We both agree on the greatness of the film. Brad Pitt for me is sometimes distracting and he doesn't tend to do much for me, but in this one it was not a negative. I found him to be somewhat impenetrable but I think that maybe was what he was going for. I did like him in Inglorious Basterds though. Casey Affleck was a pleasant surprise here and seemed to elevate himself to the task. Overall a brilliant film and I guess I'm one of the last ones to catch on to this one!Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-6956970537719573132011-06-08T00:54:57.228-04:002011-06-08T00:54:57.228-04:00I completely agree with your assessment that this ...I completely agree with your assessment that this is a modern Western masterpiece. The film has such a dream like quality, and that has been beautifully accentuated through the stream-of-conscience kind of voiceover, melancholic tone, leisurely pacing, and the stunning photography.<br /><br />You made a great point regarding the symbiotic yet bizarre bond shared by the film's two central characters. Cassey Affleck was really good as the queasy Robert Ford, but it was Brad Pitt who stole the show for me as the larger than life outlaw Jesse James and provided the film with its elegiac quality. <br /><br />In fact, along with the likes of Fight Club, Seven & Inglorious Bastards, this film ranks among his best performances. His small turn in Babel was also noteworthy. I've heard he was excellent in 12 Monkeys too, and that's one of the many movies I'm yet to watch but determined to correct sooner rather than later.Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.com