"possibly not for those seeking the simple pleasures of instant gratification"

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, is one of the longest titles I've ever seen for film and the film is just as long to sit through. I have no problem with this. I would sit through a ten hour "Jesse James" because of the excellent tone given out by director Andrew Dominik. The frozen Missouri/ Kansas landscapes are a treat for the eyes. The musical score does its job: to blend into the film so subtly that I cant imagine the images on the screen without it.

Brad Pitt is creepily intense as Jesse James, one of the best performance I've ever seen from him, but he is outshone by Casey Affleck, who is mesmerising with every twitch of his eyes and every quiver in his voice. Though some may complain about the voice-over narration, I thought it was excellent, just the right amount throughout. I loved the ending, Robert Ford's character needed to be played to its conclusion, and not end at the killing of Jesse James, as I feared it might.

All in all, this is a great film - possibly not for those seeking the simple pleasures of instant gratification. But definitely worth the attention of those who still believe that movies are an art form.