I just now re-watched the film for the first time in years. It's perfect. My eyes are sobbing. It's the only movie I can recall that personifies a feeling of how America really was during that time.
Jesse was a last remnant of old America, when it was brave and fierce, unapologetic and bold. Despite him technically being a serial killer, Jesse was widely regarded with fondness amongst the American people, for various reasons. Normally, a man who killed a serial killer would be praised, but to snuff out Jesse was as if the very spirit of America itself was snuffed out.
The scene of his death is heart-wrenching, especially after the slow build up over the entire movie. Zee's cries of grief are as real and devastating as I've ever seen in a movie.
Also I'm now 34, the same age as Jesse when he died. I feel I understand his plight more now than ever.
I first saw it on its opening weekend in 2007 with my dad when I was 17. I still remember that viewing well, and still have the DVD.
The casting, acting, cinematography, direction, script, everything really, is utterly sublime. I consider this film in my Top 10 movies of all time, alongside LOTR. In many ways I think this film is even better than LOTR.
The soundtrack in particular is so deeply sad. It really accentuates the film as a whole, and the feeling it gives, like the snuffing out of the flame Jesse was carrying, the flame that remained since the civil war that he and so many who were there, and who admired him, were a part of. Snuffing out Jesse was like spitting on the very soul of America, despite his many murders. Jesse's betrayal and assassination was like a stab to the heart of so many who mourned for the death of part of the American soul that lived on with Jesse. No other film has captured that feeling so vividly as this. It's as if I am transported back to that time and feel it as if I am right there.
Jesse was a last remnant of old America, when it was brave and fierce, unapologetic and bold. Despite him technically being a serial killer, Jesse was widely regarded with fondness amongst the American people, for various reasons. Normally, a man who killed a serial killer would be praised, but to snuff out Jesse was as if the very spirit of America itself was snuffed out.
The scene of his death is heart-wrenching, especially after the slow build up over the entire movie. Zee's cries of grief are as real and devastating as I've ever seen in a movie.
Also I'm now 34, the same age as Jesse when he died. I feel I understand his plight more now than ever.
I first saw it on its opening weekend in 2007 with my dad when I was 17. I still remember that viewing well, and still have the DVD.
The casting, acting, cinematography, direction, script, everything really, is utterly sublime. I consider this film in my Top 10 movies of all time, alongside LOTR. In many ways I think this film is even better than LOTR.
The soundtrack in particular is so deeply sad. It really accentuates the film as a whole, and the feeling it gives, like the snuffing out of the flame Jesse was carrying, the flame that remained since the civil war that he and so many who were there, and who admired him, were a part of. Snuffing out Jesse was like spitting on the very soul of America, despite his many murders. Jesse's betrayal and assassination was like a stab to the heart of so many who mourned for the death of part of the American soul that lived on with Jesse. No other film has captured that feeling so vividly as this. It's as if I am transported back to that time and feel it as if I am right there.