Sunday, February 10, 2008
Three Sunday Reviews, Part 2: Violence
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
The pacing does, indeed, hit something closer to plodding, but it’s made up for by an intimate view of a familiar story: how Jesse James, the psychotic and ultra-violent media star of his day was betrayed and murdered by one of his men, a jealous and dishonorable John Ford. And it’s a hell of a story.
It is easily one of the most visually engaging movies I’ve seen in a long time. With views of rough country filmed with a eye for texture and nuance, it succeeds in sheer beauty in a way that few movies ever manage; in the same way that The Cell was so richly compelling in its vision of the world of dreams and nightmares, even if The Assassination of Jesse James were a horrible movie, it would be remarkable for its gorgeous scenery. While The Cell was let down by its story and acting, though, The Assassination of Jesse James is a far more complete film.
Brad Pitt may have hit his career high point with his portrayal of James as a charismatic, unpredictable, and, ultimately, self-destructive anti-hero. Pitt is every inch believable in the role. Casey Affleck, as Robert Ford, equals Pitt with a performance that is a disturbed and tone perfect version of a man who is deeply jealous of the fame of Jesse James. These two are remarkably good together and supported by a cast that doesn’t let them down for even an instant.
It could have been tightened up and the pacing at times could be charitably described as leisurely, although brooding and introspective might be tossed into the mix, as well. The visual space and quiet moments let the thing breathe in the same way that the Mark Hollis’ song “The Color of Spring” breathes in its quiet moments--and the silence imbues the well-considered, spare piano notes with so much more meaning than if they had been buried in noise. Not for everyone, to be sure, but a treasure for people who enjoy the moment’s reflection within the art.
The pacing is a problem, but, to me, a forgivable one. Far more problematic is the homoerotic edge--it seems oddly out of place and, as far as I’m aware, has no place in historical accuracy. As an ode to Brokeback Mountain without the consummation, it’s merely a distraction. Ang Lee told the gay cowboy story better.
The girl can fall asleep during the loudest, most brutal movie when she’s at home and on the couch. It’s worth noting that she walked in on the movie late, while getting ready for bed, and was entranced by it. She was intent on it to the end, engrossed by the characters and the story. That, by itself, is a big endorsement.
It’s a worthy, quiet movie with moments of shocking violence and brutality. The poetry is in the wonderful performances, the measured unfolding of the story through its wholly real characters, and the superb artistry of its cinematography.
As I said, it’s not for everyone, but it isn’t without value. I loved it.
Comments & Trackbacks
I guess my question, though, was, “Did the ‘gay cowboy story’ really need to be told that badly in the first place?”
The follow up to that question then was, “And if so, didn’t South Park cover it pretty well?”
The final follow-up question then has to be, “and if South Park didn’t cover it well, then didn’t Brokeback Mountain run afoul of the same sort of ‘immature betrayal of spouses to satisfy a homosexual urge that should have been dealt with long before marriage’ problem that you said fouled up A Feast of Love?
...full disclosure: I haven’t seen Brokeback Mountain, and am not planning on it. Not because of the gay theme, but because it is a Hollywood production.
So it’s better than The Cell. Darned faint praise.
So, did Billy Gashade show up in the movie? (I have to say that his was a remarkably successful way of memorializing his name, though that seems to be the only thing about him that’s remembered.)
He does--or, at least, I think he does. I don’t remember his being called by name, but, at one point, a wandering singer/guitar player is seen in a bar singing the song. It’s a cameo by Nick Cave (and he fits the part well), so I think it was mean to be Billy Gashade.
Yeah, I think I need to write a ballad about somebody famous and make sure to work my own name into the narrative. Between that and the everlasting blog, people will remember the name of Zombyboy. And David J. Or something like that…
Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
and write in posts, just like David J.
Won’t be tricked, by a Rick Roll
And yet he’ll watch American Idol
One hundred men will blog today
But only three… posts by David J.
Trained to fight, like devil dogs
and to write everlasting blogs
Men who write by night and day
about cowboys, who are kind of gay
Hmm hmm hmmmm… hmm hmm hmm hmmm…
Holy damn.
You’re brilliant.
[stunned silence]
[tumultuous applause]
The blogging world misses DF more than it knows.
Truly.