Saw this last week and loved it. I tried to read the book, and although it was really good I never finished it because it was a hard slog. The writing was undeniably excellent but incredibly dense. I plugged through a few chapters but every time I put it down a part of me dreaded picking it back up because, even though I was enjoying it, it was hard work. I didn’t think they could make this into a film, but I think they managed to capture the spirit of the book at least.

Casey Affleck was incredibly brilliant, Brad Pitt was miscast. I believe it was a pet project of Pitt’s so presumably no one was going to tell him he wasn’t right for it. Pitt played Jesse James who, according to the voiceover, becomes a tormented soul as the film progresses - however this was not particularly well presented to us in the acting. He got it in brief flashes, but it just wasn’t sustained enough to convince, which was a shame because it took a lot from the circumstances of the inevitable assisination, but I’ll say no more on that lest I give anything away. Pitt was as engaging and entertaining to watch as ever, and this gets him through the film despite his failure to delve in and produce what was really required of the character.

Casey Affleck on the other hand was a bit shaky to begin with in my opinion but went from strength to strength as the film progressed. Looking forward to seeing more of this actor in 2008.

Sam Rockwell also gives a great performance as Robert Fords brother, he has some beautifully acted scenes where his love for his brother and his fear of his friend Jesse James come into conflict.

The film looks and feels incredibly beautiful, several people I went with felt it was overly long, but I loved every incredibly slow paced minute of it. I particularly liked the gunfight in the bedroom for it’s realism. Watch out for it.