This almost defines the oft-used term "elegiac Western". It has some of the well-worn themes of Westerns, such as the creation of Western myth vs. the cold, harsh realities. But for some reason, it never feels like anything else I've ever seen. It has a style more reminiscent of Michelangelo Antonioni than any of the great Western filmmakers. It's slow and likes to surround its characters with enormous landscapes that almost swallow them whole. But it's also not averse to close-ups. Director Dominik, who has only made one other film, Chopper, and it's been seven years since then, loves to concentrate on facial expressions, as well as body language (don't know if I've ever seen a film with this level of attention to body language, or maybe it's just not something to which I've ever been lead to pay much attention). The cast is uniformly brilliant. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are the titular leads, and neither has done as well. Affleck is a revelation. The supporting cast includes Sam Rockwell, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeremy Renner, Garrett Dillahunt and Paul Schneider. Andrew Dominik is the star, though. There have been plenty of successful Westerns over the past couple of decades, but I'd be hard-pressed to name a single one out that so beautifully and completely re-invents the genre. 3:10 to Yuma may well be the big money-making Western of the year, but I think history will recall it as being the year that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was released. It is the best film of the year so far, and will be hard to top.

I don't think I can add to what has been said so well already about how amazing this film is. It is a movie that both entranced and haunted me, and alongside the likes of Brokeback Mountain, There will be Blood and Pan's Labyrinth, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is one of my favourites of the decade.

The film is quite glacial in its pace, but I do not consider that a problem in any way, as I think the slow pacing was done deliberately. And even if it was slow in pace, I don't think I would have cared, because everything about this film is so good.

The Assassination of Jesse James... has some of the most sweeping and at the same time most beautiful images I have seen on film in recent memory. The whole film is exquisitely shot, and the landscapes and scenery are stunning. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' score fits beautifully too.

The film is also rich in characterisation, has a thoughtful and well-textured script, has a beautiful and haunting atmosphere and a story that despite the pace and the long running time drew me in and never let go. The direction is sensitive and never heavy-handed, and there are some truly excellent performances. Both Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are wonderful in very powerful and understated performances, and out of the supporting cast Sam Rockwell stands out.

In conclusion, a fine film and one of the best of the decade in my opinion. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Jesse James (Brad Pitt) is a mystery to his own kids living a secret life under a different name in Kansas City. He's 34 and it's 1881. The remaining members of his gang include Robert Ford (Casey Affleck),Charley Ford (Sam Rockwell),Frank James (Sam Shepard),Wood Hite (Jeremy Renner),Ed Miller (Garret Dillahunt) and Dick Liddil (Paul Schneider). Frank and Jesse are the last two remaining original members.

Andrew Dominik films a beautiful looking movie but his script runs on and on. Roger Deakins's cinematography is a thing of beauty. The first train robbery at night is haunting. The dialog is a long rambling affair. As always, I don't particularly like narrations. One would expect a Jesse James movie to be exciting and a great thrill ride. In this movie, even the action scenes are moody and stylish. What starts out as a fascinating beautiful hypnotic watch turns into more of an endurance test at over two and a half hour. Brad Pitt plays Jesse James as a mercurial calm commanding presence. Affleck has an unstable edginess. The cast is filled with wonderful actors. Nevertheless, the movie could use a little trimming.