The assassination of Jessie James

One of my favourite films a while back was the film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. (2007) The way this film plays out really draws you in even though you do know what is going to happen, from history and of course from the title itself! What is interesting is looking at how the characters develop and how Rob Ford’s obsession with Jesse James turns into an opportunity for him to be someone. The development of his character is steady and chilling, whereas the character of Jesse is much more edgy. The film itself is shot at a slow pace, with slow piano or guitar music (mostly) and in very sharp focus so you feel like you get to know the characters, you know that most of Jesses gang are dead or in prison and he is using this Robert guy in desperation really, and also out of a need to keep doing what he does. I love how the film is slow paced and yet draws you into it completely, it is more about whats going on in his head than a traditional gun slinging western, you realise that Jesse actually is fed up with his life, the great days of him as a hero are over, he wants to die, and realises that this Robert Ford is his man, weak, obsessed and in need of the reward money, and he sets out to ensure that if he kills him, he will not get to be the hero, but that Jesse will remain the hero even after death. The cinematography was amazing they used old camera lenses taped over the cameras to give a blurred effect to the film edges like the old style movies, and, for example used some bleaching to enable the scene with the train robbery – held at night- have a bit more contrast and to be more realistic the only light coming from the carriage lamps, as it would have been.