http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx There is a scene in THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD where a dead body is dragged through the woods and dumped in a ditch.&nbsp; Sadly it was not mine.&nbsp; My fate was to sit through this two-and-a-half-hour rambling mess. There have been published reports that this was a problem project that went through numerous editing changes and test screenings.&nbsp; For the record, the reports were correct and the screenings and changes did not help.&nbsp; One of the ways you can usually tell a film is in trouble if big stars wind up with seemingly minor roles. For example, Mary-Louise Parker, who plays Jesse&rsquo;s wife, Zee, is on screen for no more than four minutes.&nbsp; Oscar-nominated Sam Shepard, who plays Jesse&rsquo;s brother Frank, is visible less than half that.&nbsp; These weren&rsquo;t uncredited cameos, the kind Big Stars sometimes play in small pictures.&nbsp; Both actors get top billing (and presumably pay) for roles that no doubt ended on the cutting room floor.&nbsp; Almost certainly the script that they signed on for is not what you see on screen. The film is based on a book of the same name by Ron Hansen.&nbsp; It tries to explain the seemingly strange relationship between the famous outlaw and the man who shot him.&nbsp; It also deconstructs the legend of Jesse James (Brad Pitt), who apparently wasn&rsquo;t the Robin Hood popular mythology makes him out to be.&nbsp; But the problem is it doesn&rsquo;t define James or Ford (Casey Affleck) any better than the myth did.&nbsp; The film lacks focus, and seems more like several movies crammed together.&nbsp;&nbsp; It&rsquo;s certainly long enough; in fact, there were a couple of times during the screening where I was convinced the film was over only for it to move forward several months or years. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1482 BRAD PITT IS A REAL COOL ACTOR ,HE REALLY BRINGS THIS MOVIE TO LIFE dorothy fugate http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1482 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:17:45 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1548 this is a great comeback cowboy movie. the best i have seen in along time. WAVELYN http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1548 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:25:48 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1613 This movie was neither rambling nor a mess. The film was patient and carefully and painfully edited. Casey Affleck was perfect as the pathetic pretender to the throne. The ending was a direct homage to the legend of JJ and the rediculous way people worshipped him. <br /><br />Asking "whys" and "wherefores" in a Western is totally pointless. Ask any fan of classic spaghetti and they'll tell you they don't care "why", they just want to see where everything goes!<br /><br />Look at the bright side, at least it wasn't "Young Guns 3" Gorger http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1613 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:04:55 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1839 i am looking forward to watching this movie,and brad pitt ain't to bad either dorothy fugate http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/09/21/THE-ASSASSINATION-OF-JESSE-JAMES-BY-THE-COWARD-ROBERT-FORD.aspx#1839 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:20:41 GMT