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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Image
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Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 111 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard
  • Summary: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money--and the glory--riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most. (Universal Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    100
    Though there is plenty of gunplay, this is a wondrously contemplative and poetic saga that offers a fresh and bewitching take on a timeworn genre.
  2. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    60
    Although not as radically defamiliarizing as Jim Jarmusch's avant-western "Dead Man," Jesse James has the feel of an attic ransacked for abandoned knickknacks.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    38
    A gorgeous snooze, somewhere between imitation Terrence Malick and a feature version of star Brad Pitt's notorious Vanity Fair layout with Angelina Jolie and their faux kids.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 59
  3. Negative: 10 out of 59
  1. Johnny
    10
    Absolutely spellbinding. An endlessly interesting character study that's flawlessly written and directed. Casey Affleck delivers in this career-defining role, and both he and Brad Pitt give two of the most complex performances I've ever seen in cinema. I understand that this film will actually bore many people. It is described as a western but it is an artistic western. It is about the film-making; the story; the characters, and not about the all so cliched shoot-em-ups and explosions you see in old westerns. If you can handle art, and steer away from action for just a little bit, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" will truly move you if you can view this in the correct context. If historical accuracy means anything to you, this is THE film to watch.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. JoyceC.
    5
    I never thought Jesse James was going to be that bad.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. AdamK.
    1
    Easily the most boring movie I've seen in 10 years.
    • 0 of 7 users said yes

See all 59 User Reviews

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