I think that "Bourne Ultimatum" might just be displaced as my favourite mainstream film of the year in favour of this absolutely marvellous, breathtakingly shot and well written Western epic.... I'm not a big fan of Westerns, but I certainly appreciate a good one, and boy, is this a BLOODY good one, "3:10 To Yuma" was well done, but "Assassination..." is just in a different league altogether; this is a film which recalls the very greatest of Westerns, from the legend-building of the John Ford films to the stylizations and mood of Sergio Leone to the revisionism of Sam Peckinpah to the imagery and poetry of Terence Mallick, this is simply the best Western since Clint's marvellous "Unforgiven", and I would say surpasses those standards....

 

The acting by all concerned is simply top knotch, Brad Pitt's portrayal of the doomed, iconic Jesse is simply brilliant, but even this is more than matched by Casey Affleck, clearly the more talented member of the Affleck family on this evidence, whose portrayal of Bob Ford is simply off the scale, an Oscar of Supporting Actor should by all rights be in the bag for him.. Affleck has the much more difficult role to portray, and he does so with a quite unnerving ability, the fact that he manages to engender sympathy for such a weasly, contemptable character like Bob is testament to both his ability and the superb writing....

 

Even if you dont really like Westerns, I think you'll find something in here to enjoy and grasp onto, the themes of friendship, honour and betrayal are universal... Marvellous stuff...

 

10/10

WOT?? No one's been to see this....? :o

I like stuff to do with Jesse James but me actually going to see this is very unlikely.

I like stuff to do with Jesse James but me actually going to see this is very unlikely.

 

Why..? Because of Brad Pitt...? :lol:

 

I have two films that Brad has been in, Legends of the falls and Interview with the Vampire............Antonio *drools*.........I don't really do films, if I did I'd be in here a lot more. I don't have time to catch up on my music let alone films.. I do like stuff to do with Jesse, but it would be a case that if it's ever on tele then I'd see it, if not it's no big loss.

WOT?? No one's been to see this....? :o

 

I went to see it last night, yeah good film great cinematography, but my dad fell asleep as it was more in "brokeback mountain for your consideration" territory than any action packed western on itv3. he was woken up by that gunshot tho that freaked out a good few peeps behind me :lol:

 

i think my dad would have been better off with russell crowe in 3:10 to yuma, and tbh if there was a choice of those two films on tv i think tbh i would go for that as well (also it could be mentioned that you could see shades of russell crowe role in JJ, see state of play casting as well).

 

http://sms2.dogstreetjournal.com/photos/3853/yuma.jpg

 

great soundtrack by nick cave/waren ellis too (the proposition was too bloody for my dad, tho and btw talking about soundtracks have to say eddie vedder was slightly redeamed this year for into the wild)