With a title that long, it would have to a pretty long movie, and it is at around two and a half hours. This is a very well-made movie, with good acting and strong characters, but I'd be lying if I said they couldn't have packed the story into two hours even. It moves along a relaxed pace, which is nice to let you soak things in, but there were a few times where it dragged its legs just a bit. The film is certainly not fatally slow, however.
The performances are strong. Brad Pitt is on his game as Jesse James. Sam Rockwell always brings the goods, and now that Casey Affleck has come into his own as an actor, you are left with a strong 1-2-3 combo in the leads. Add in a supporting cast that includes Sam Shepard, Mary Louise Parker, Zooey Deschanel, underrated Ted Levine (Silence of the Lambs) and political-strategist-turned-cameo-actor James Carville, and you're left with a well-cast feature with all the players suited to their roles.
The musical score is unique and fits quite well the tone and message the filmmakers were trying to create. The cinematography and camera work are effective. And the piece was well written, delving at an appropriate depth (not to shallow, nor wallowing) into what types of actions and human traits truly define great men, and how a lack thereof can make those who aspired to greatness simply wish they had slipped between the cracks of history.
7.5 Kenneth Starr Reports out of 10.
2 comments:
Nice review. I loved this movie, for many of the things you praised about it. I found it especially compelling because of the change in Robert Ford throughout the movie as he's continuously ridiculed, criticized, and intimidated. I thought Casey Affleck was amazing in the role. He's definitely come into his own as an actor.
Awesome. dog. Glad you agree. Thanks for reading.
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