The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Right now you can watch The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford in Australia on HBO Max, and in the US on Fawesome — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 2,804 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Brad Pitt's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on HBO Max.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford earns its spot. The writing in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. Outlaw Jesse James is rumored to be the 'fastest gun in the West'. An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2007. What elevates The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Brad Pitt's work here is the kind that gets referenced in career retrospectives. It makes everything else feel thin by comparison.