The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (****)"

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" is the best film to hit theatres this year. It is a great example of a near-perfectly crafted film. In spite of it two hour and forty minute running time, I never had to check the time. My eyes were suctioned to the screen taking in the beauty of this extraordinary film.

The story is epic in scope, and it takes its time arriving to the foregone conclusion. The viewer does not care that he or she already knows what is going to happen. The beauty of the film is getting to the point. Director Andrew Dominik makes sure not to rush the story, letting it play out slowly and methodically. The characters are fully developed, and the viewer is fascinated by them. The pacing works really well for the film, letting the viewer completely embrace and take in every scene. The voice over narration used had a kind of lyrical quality to them, and the score paired with it really stuck with the viewer.

There will probably be no better on-screen duo this year than Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. Brad Pitt is extraordinary as Jesse James. His performance is very internalized. The viewer can see the hints of madness and extreme violence hiding behind his eyes. Brad Pitt also adds a sense of vulnerability to the character, and no scene better expresses this than when Jesse James attacks a boy. I also liked Richard Deakins cinematography because it helped say something about Jesse James. In many of the voice over scenes that talk about Jesse James, the outlines are blurred. To me, this symbolized that no one really understands who Jesse James was. The blurred outlines represent this misunderstanding of who Jesse James was. He was a complex man that many people did not fully know.

Casey Affleck also gives an amazing performance, even stealing the show from Brad Pitt. In my opinion, he gives the best performance of the year, but with the film lackluster box office take and mixed reviews, I doubt he will be nominated. His performance was reminiscent of Matt Damon's in "The Talented Mr. Ripley. " Casey Affleck plays Robert Ford, a man who is obsessed with trying to be a somebody. He refuses to be ordinary. He is the youngest in his family, and there really is nothing special about him. He lacks confidence, and he is determined to prove to himself and others that he can actually be something. He lives in the legacy of Jesse James, finding comparisons between themselves to try to find meaning in his own life. Casey Affleck gives Robert Ford a chilling voice that adds to the underlying jealousy of the character. He also takes to glancing around furtively, barely ever looking anyone in the eyes. When he kills James' cousin, he finds newfound confidence. He actually did something extraordinary, in his eyes. When he kills Jesse James, he believes that people will praise him. He defeated a giant; it's like David defeating Goliath. He believes that everything in his life was leading to this. He was in love with Jesse James and by killing him he was conquering him, becoming him.

These are two of the greatest characters written for the screen in recent years. The scene in which Pitt is taking a bath, and he asks Affleck if he wants to be him is a great scene that really sums up the film. The dinner table sequence is also interesting to watch. Pitt sits at one side of the table , having Affleck name the comparisons between the two. The whole time the viewer gets that sense of underlying violence from Pitt, and the way in which he watches Affleck, its like he is analyzing him (kind of like my film professor).

Overally, Andrew Dominik has made some excellent choices. The film moves at a methodical but comfortable pace that allows the viewer to get sucked in to the story. The cinematography is excellent and really helps establish that the character of Jesse James is a myth that many people don't understand. Affleck also turns in a groundbreaking performance, and if I had it my way he would win Best Supporting Actor this year. Overall, this is the best film this year, and it is a shame that more people have not embraced it.