The Movie Nut

A swirling whirlwind of uncertain hero worship permeates the persistent legend of outlaw Jesse James. At least a dozen films have involved the James Brothers either as starring figures or in peripheral roles, but few have depicted the two as outright criminals. Most, in fact, have eulogized Jesse as a brooding, misunderstood Southerner who, beaten and shot by Union soldiers during the American Civil War (while trying to surrender, no less), extracts a lifelong revenge, robbing and killing only those who are distinctly pro-North. Ah, politics and crime, life's two perennially inseparable bedfellows.

Although "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," based on Ron Hansen's 1983 fictionalized bio, may slightly tarnish the Jameses' image as just two good ol' boys trying to make a living, it does little to diminish Jesse's crown.

The film begins late in Jesse's career- his earlier adventures behind him and the James' mythology well established. Most of his original gang are gone by now- dead or hiding or in prison, but Jesse and his older brother, Frank, have managed to elude the law.

Jesse lives in plain sight in St. Joseph, Mo., under an assumed name. His robberies are committed out of town, and in St. Joseph he's regarded as a welltodo businessman. This was life before the Internet, mind you.

"The Assassination of Jesse James" chronicles the outlaw's last few months, and I suppose it's hardly a spoiler (considering both the film's title and our addiction to pop history) to mention that Jesse may perish at the end.

Fortunately, Jesse's death is not given the same martyrlike reverence as, say, Billy the Kid's demise in Arthur Penn's "The Left Handed Gun" (1958), which depicts William Bonny as a misunderstood young man whose every act of violence is either accidental or justified.

In fact, in Jesse's final chapter, the outlaw had been reduced to little more than a neurotic shell of a man prone to spontaneous violence, who without provocation kills one of his own gang members- ironically enough, speaking of cowards, by shooting the poor fellow in the back.

The Ford brothers are two of the James' gang's newest recruits, little more than restless 19th century juvenile delinquents. Smoldering under Jesse's suspicions of betrayal, they eventually realize their days are numbered; to the Ford brothers, it's either Jesse's life or their own.

There's a "good news/bad news" aspect to "The Assassination of Jesse James." First the bad news. The film is somewhat plotbare; it plays out in a kind of cerebral, realistic slow-boil. Realistic? Yes. Action-packed? Not quite.

The film is in many ways similar to last year's "The Queen." Despite outstanding performances (and an Oscar to Helen Mirren), many considered the plot feather-light. For those interested in rich character study, the acting more than compensated for lack of plot. However, for those who like their flicks ripe with twists and turns and plenty of ITH (Important Things Happening), "The Queen" was underwhelming.

"Jesse James" transpires in much the same way. Most of us are well aware of the conclusion, and many of us even know the incidentals, so we must sit content (for 160 minutes) immersing ourselves in the nuance of characterization.

Which brings me to the good news: Both Brad Pitt (as Jesse) and Casey Affleck (as that coward Robert Ford) tender brilliant performances as these two less than noble renegades. Sam Rockwell plays Robert's brother, Charlie, with equal panache- and watching the three sit around the dinner table, twitching and conniving, attempting superficial politeness, is delightful. If one didn't know the foregone conclusion, I suspect the tension would be considerably heightened. A pity that Jesse's last moments are lore.

One also senses that authenticity was sacrosanct to director Andrew Dominik: There exists a palpable realism to this film- from the water pump in the James' picket-fenced front yard to the squeak of roughhewn floorboards to the clap of pistol fire that erupts periodically. For lovers of the Old West, or of period pieces in general, "Jesse James" is truly mesmerizing.

For Affleck Brothers' watchers, younger sibling Casey proves his acting bones here as the sniveling Jesse wannabe. And many, of course, consider Mr. Pitt the modern version of Jesse (albeit without the six-shooters). For anyone content to watch fine actors give top-notch performances, "The Assassination of Jesse James" will provide a wealth of cerebral entertainment.