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Therefore, while Ford is losing his soul to his inner demons, James, who lost his soul long ago, is like a dying man reassessing where he's gone wrong. He knows he's not the man he once was. At one point he murmurs about himself, "I wonder about the man who's gone so wrong."

Jesse with pals Wood (Jeremy Renner) and Charlie (Sam Rockwell)

The internal battles will set up good self-reflection and discussion for Christian viewers. They also place James and Ford on a collision course. After more than two hours, the film gains real momentum. In fact, the final scenes with Jesse and Robert are a taut symphony of tension and anxiety—much of it on a silent, character level, a rare thing in film today. It's a powerful tone to end on.

In fact, the tone of the film's created world—in addition to the acting—is a strong suit. Jesse James captures the gritty, lonely and slow reality of pioneer life in addition to projecting the paranoia, danger and aggression of being an outlaw. This feel of realism is enhanced by Dominik's depiction of old west violence. It's not slick and sensationalized Hollywood violence. If shoot-'em-ups make violence sexy, this one makes it repulsing. The few gunfights are stark, messy and brutal depictions of real-life violence—filled with missed shots, blood, tears, and awkward pauses. It's all grotesque, clumsy and ugly.

But the violence is the only ugly thing here. Cinematographer Roger Deakins (Fargo) creates a beautiful palette for the actors. He uses the environment well with several touches to add a dreamy nostalgic bliss. He blurs edges, plays with silhouettes, and manipulates light and shadows. A hauntingly beautiful score by Nick Cave further enhances the film's atmosphere.

These artful touches add to the complicated and deep portrait Dominik paints of Jesse James and his killer Robert Ford. It's just too bad he got so distracted painting the figures in the background.

Talk About It

1. Robert Ford and Jesse James are both plagued by inner demons. What internal weaknesses and temptations do you see in them? How do these issues manifest and lead them to sin and/or destruction? Read Mark 7:21-23. How do you see that verse in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford?
2. Why do you think Robert Ford did not get what he wanted after James' death? Why didn't the public treat him as he thought they would? Was Ford's action on James just? Why or why not? What makes him either a coward or a hero?
3. Ford and James wrestle with common internal struggles. What traits in either do you see in yourself? How do you fight to keep those weaknesses form leading you astray?
4. In the final scene between James and Ford, what do you think is going on in James' head? Does he purposely lower his guard? If so, why do you think he would?

The Family Corner

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is rated R for some strong violence and brief sexual references. The sexuality is limited to crude conversation, but the strong language and brutal, realistic gun violence makes the R-rating a warning to take seriously. There are more than one shot to the head and bloody beatings. There's also a shocking scene of two snakes being decapitated.

Photos © Copyright Warner Bros. Pictures

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