Movie ReviewThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, a movie that the respected Libertas just loves, was just liked one a hell of a lot by me. First, and first it has to be, is the performance of Brad Pitt as the psychotic James during the last two years of his life. Henry Fonda or Tyrone Power it ain't, but a realistic portrait of what a paranoid psychotic James must have been (he killed at will and sold every member of his gang down the river), and Pitt is terrific, constantly dangerous, continually threatening. Then is the compelling performance of Casey Affleck as Bob Ford, a guy as complicated as a physics formula showing more stuff cleanly than anything I've ever seen. You can never figure out whether he's retarded, psychotic, or so frightened he's afraid to reveal himself. Both guys are cinch Oscar nominees, particularly Affleck. Is there anything other than stellar performances in this movie? Not a one, well one of the horses was continually out of character but I can live with that. A beautiful movie? You're fucking right, never an artless moment.

The Direction by Henry King? There are many moments in this movie that are so truthful as to be just startling. A romance develops (spoiler so I won't continue) from the most incredible yet totally truthful situation. Characters reveal themselves without a single second of exposition, something you just never see.

So why not 100% loving it? For far too many of us the pacing will be too slow (I thought it was perfect most of the way). It's too long, we already know the ending and I found myself uninterested after Ford does the deed. The accents are true to a fault which meant that for me some of the dialogue was unintelligible.

For those of you who like what are known as "art films" this is a bonanza to end all bonanzas. Those of you with artistic ATD will hate it so save your bucks, talk to your pals about it. Is this a date movie? Not if you expect to get laid when it's over, but with a woman you think you might be in love with I'd say this is a test. Sort of like the Baltimore Colts test in the old movie, Diner. Personally, I wouldn't date some loser who hated this movie.

A movie that is better and better for each day after you see it.

WARNING: I saw it at an AMC movie theater in Santa Monica that had a sound system from 1958 and it really hurt. Be sure you see it at a theater that has a first class sound system. I used to trust AMC but no more.