The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Andrew Dominik’s “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” is a somber meditation on fame and betrayal. Set in the post-Civil War American West, the film charts the rise and fall of outlaw Jesse James, portrayed with brooding intensity by Brad Pitt. As a young and ambitious admirer, Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) joins James’ gang, but his admiration soon turns to envy. When Ford sees an opportunity to claim the reward for James’ death, he and his brother commit a deed that immortalizes their victim while tarnishing their own legacy. Dominik’s languid pacing and lyrical visuals underscore the tragic futility of Ford’s actions, casting the notorious outlaw as an enigmatic hero and his killer as a pitiable villain.