Friday, April 04, 2008
Just Like Jesse James
150 years ago might as well be 150 eons... The Wild West, a huge source of mid-20th-century entertainment, is almost just another period piece for the now generation... Almost... 'Western' remains a genre, defined more by its possibilities than its clichés - where independence is rugged, landscapes are impossibly vast, and rule of law is spotty.
I'm particularly fond of Revisionism, which fleshes out character and respectively portrays Indians, African-Americans, and Latinos..
On to the 5 Parameters!
1. Four Words That Encapsule: "Twilight of a Legend"
2. Haiku (5/7/5):
"Assassination:
odd word when killers are killed
and seen from both sides"
3. Oblique Commentary: I love film versions of novel that intersperse narration from the book! "Assassination" sounds like quite a book! Casey appears to be the more talented Affleck, and was rightly Oscar-nominated for his work here - the man has range, and the gangliness of Ford is worlds away from his equally great work as the subdued, streetwise gumshoe Patrick Kenzie in 'Gone Baby Gone'4. Insight: It would seem that "Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" sidesteps the genre's clichés with an elegiaic, psychological study of character, the love-hate of idol worship, and the pitfalls of ill-gotten fame. Brad Pitt is serviceable as a wary and weary James well past his peak, but it's Casey Affleck who steals the show as a gawky but ambitious young man who slowly turns from admirer to Judas...
5. Link: Metacritic summary of reviews. Average of 68 based on 32 reviews - that's about a B-. I'd give a B - add a notch if you like contemplative movies, irony, and stunning scenery.. The music is wonderful too!
Here's the preview now:
Cartoon du Jour:
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