I was reluctant to watch an almost three hour western but was very curious, especially because of the cast. The story is not intricate and the pace is slow, which will make many viewers bored, but what is interesting in the story is the increasing tension build up and the character studies. The character of Robert Ford is marvellously played by Casey Affleck, a pathetic character that both repells and makes you feel compassionate, his gradual shift from awe to resentment to Jesse is subtle and in line with the above mentioned tension.
Brad Pitt is impecable, the best performance I have seen from him. The development of the characters and the story are wrapped perfectly with superb and perfectly synchronised photography, music and landscapes, making this , in my humble opinion, one of the best pieces of cinematography of the last 20 years.
