"Jesse James" is seen

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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Warner Bros., 9.21) was shown last week to a group of elite Fifth Estate cool cats. Digitally projected, sans credits...despite the 9.21 release date only two months away. We all know by now that poor, embattled, unloved Jesse James needs all the help it can get from sympathetic journos -- i.e., those with a vulnerable soft spot for a long, painterly, Terry Malick-styled western shot by Roger Deakins, no matter how it plays otherwise.

Lord knows there's very little sense that WB distribution execs have been burning the midnight oil to promote the film. They can't even be bothered to send out any new photos (i.e., the same four or five shots have been kicking around since last fall). The Jesse James website hasn't changed either.

It's funny, but I've heard so much about Andrew Dominik's much-delayed, kicked- around film that I almost feel I've seen the darn thing. Lots of dialogue, beautiful- ass photography, "not really a western," much more Casey's movie than Brad's, etc. The version shown last week ran about two hours and 40 minutes, I'm told. In one conversation the word "attenuated" was used. The same guy said "it could be tightened" by "15 minutes," and that the story "tends to play out without things that really add to it."

Brad Pitt's performance as Jesse James is one of his better turns, a viewer feels. Unlike the various James portrayals of yore, Pitt's version is "sort of a psycho." Sam Shepard plays Frank James, and the viewer I spoke said there's no problem believing that Shepard could be Pitt's brother despite the former being 20 years older than the latter. The film belongs more to Casey Affleck's Robert Ford, "a bumpkin who wants to be part of the gang."

The film doesn't end with James' shooting, but deals interestingly with the aftermath. "It's sort of about celebrity," the viewer says. "By killing Jesse Ford figured he'd become a celebrity. [To this end] he reenacts the murder in a show around the country, but he becomes a pariah."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 16, 2007 at 2:16 PM

comment #1

JD says ...

"It's funny, but I've heard so much about Andrew Dominik's much-delayed, kicked- around film that I almost feel I've seen the darn thing."

And yet, strangely, people are accusing you of mistaking Andrew Dominik for Andrew Niccol! What the...!!

Posted by JD at July 16, 2007 3:12 PM

comment #2

Josh Massey says ...

I wish they'd put a damn spoiler warning before the title.

Posted by Josh Massey at July 16, 2007 3:14 PM

comment #3

source188 says ...

Dammit! I got really excited hoping something new had come out for this film but seems like the word is still the same.... Warner Bros. is treating this highly acclaimed un-released, un-official masterpiece like the unwanted step-child.

And how about a new f@ck!n trailer!

oh yeah, and where does Andrew Niccol fit into this?

Posted by source188 at July 16, 2007 3:16 PM

comment #4

Don Murphy says ...

Andrew Dominick... I guess all Australians are the same to Jeff. WELLS NOTE: You've seen a movie by one Andrew from Down Under, you've seen 'em all.

Posted by Don Murphy at July 16, 2007 3:34 PM

comment #5

actionman says ...

this film is a masterwork. It's gonna get buried by WB because they probably dont think it's commercial (it's an art film to be sure) but I know that it would attract a solid turnout. it was NEVER gonna be a blockbuster, so why are they all pissing their pants about releasing it? it will get terrific reviews, and both Affleck and Pitt give incredible performances, especially Affleck. I hate to use the word, but he's a revelation in the film. I never ever thought he was more than a passable/solid actor and in Jesse James, Affleck gives an Oscar worthy performance.

Posted by actionman at July 16, 2007 3:52 PM

comment #6

rgmax99 says ...

Shit like this really pisses me off.

Can't someone stand up to those WB heads, and say: "Look, with the right handling and attention, this sucker could be a classic in the making! You guys are missing the big picture! This isn't License to Wed we're talking about. It needs some care."

They all need to be slapped into next week.

Posted by rgmax99 at July 16, 2007 4:10 PM

comment #7

JD says ...

Okay, this is a Hollywood Elsewhere first. That post above was not written by me. I wrote something else and it was edited. Very weird. I'm all for deleting posts if you don't like them, Jeff, but changing them? Not cool.

Posted by JD at July 16, 2007 4:25 PM

comment #8

Kristopher Tapley says ...

A friend who saw it called it a pretentious bore. And he said calling it a Malick western is going well out of your way to do it a favor.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at July 16, 2007 5:44 PM

comment #9

actionman says ...

well that person should check themselves before the wreck themselves and re-watch Malick's movies once more

calling Jesse James "pretentious" is just lazy. It's an art film.

Posted by actionman at July 16, 2007 6:25 PM

comment #10

corey3rd says ...

after watching the PBS documentary about Jesse James, it's hard to give a crap about him. he wasn't a Wild West outlaw. he was trying to keep the Civil War going.

Posted by corey3rd at July 16, 2007 9:43 PM

comment #11