Aug 18, 2001 08:48 PM
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PG-13 – In Theaters Now
Jesse James is back.
After the war of the North and the South was over, Jesse James (Colin Farrell), his brother Frank (Gabriel Macht) and his cousins, the Youngers, headed back to their quiet town to check on their families. All was well there until they found out that a man named Thaddeus Rains was trying to buy all the farmers land to build a railroad on it. The residents were told they really did not have a choice, they had to sell. The James brothers did not like that answer and forced them off of their property.
While the town was having a party, Rains ordered his men to burn down houses to set an example to the reluctant townspeople. The James boy’s mama (Kathy Bates) was killed. Jesse decided he was going to get revenge on the people of the Pinkerton Railroad. Since a war with them was out of the question, (they didn’t have enough men) Jesse wanted to stop them from continuing to build the railroad. Jesse, Frank, their cousins Cole, Bob and Jim, and a few friends started robbing banks and stealing the railroad’s money. They would also ruin their supplies to build the railroad.
Jesse James is sometimes referred to as the Robinhood of the south because he wouldn’t keep all the money. The boys donated to charities, helped families in need and gave the people hope that they would not have to sell their own land. The bankers were almost glad when Jesse and his gang, known as the James-Younger gang, would rob them. It gave a story to tell for years to come.
In Jesse’s personal life was his romance with Zee (Ali Larter). She helped Jesse get out of one or two situations. Who was smart enough to outwit the James-Younger Gang?
Roderick Taylor wrote “American Outlaws” and Les Mayfield directed it. They had a good combination of real Jesse James facts in the movie. Even though not all the events in the movie happened at one time in real life, they kept the movie flowing nicely. I think they were trying to fit in the myths and the facts of Jesse James. They did that well. I’m guessing because of the taboo subject, they never mentioned that Zee was also Jesse’s first cousin.
I am infatuated by the legend of Jesse James. The young, up and coming actors they got to do this movie were perfect. Colin Farrell was great. He made you root for Jesse to come out on top. Although I am not usually a fan of westerns, I loved this movie! Some see James as just a cold-blooded killer; others see him as if he’s on a mission for the people. This movie helped to make him look like that missionary. It was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone. It was gender friendly and a GREAT date movie!
Enjoy!
©2001 KAC
