Not since the porn adaptation Honey, I Blew Everyone (1992) has a film’s title so accurately described its plot. The Assassination of Jesse James... is derived from Ron Hansen’s 1983 fictional recreation of the events that lead to iconic train-robber and outlaw Jesse James (Brad Pitt) being shot in the back by gang-hopeful Robert Ford (Casey Affleck).It was obviously created by talented people who cared deeply about what was going to be presented on the screen. The superb Roger Deakins cinematography (he has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, although has never won one, and his CV includes The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Fargo (1996), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001) and No Country for Old Men (2007); all brilliantly shot, good-looking, films), in partnership with director Andrew Dominik’s unhurried takes, produces contemplative, intoxicating imagery and exquisite panoramas. There is beautifully lyrical narration, I assume passages taken straight from Hansen’s novel, and everything in the film appears to be carefully crafted; the lighting, the sound, right down to the smallest details of the wind blowing through the grass. The level of filmmaking displayed is of the highest quality and the result is a captivating experience.
This 160 minute long film could easily, with its plot and inevitable conclusion, have been a bit of a chore, but it is elegant filmmaking. What a good year for film 2007 was.
