EU MATEI JESSE JAMES

Cinemavixion Review

Samuel Fuller's 'Eu Matei Jesse James' (I Killed Jesse James) is a stark and brooding exploration of betrayal and its psychological toll. The film centers on Bob Ford, who assassinates his idol and friend, Jesse James, driven by the promise of a pardon and a life with his beloved. However, the anticipated freedom quickly dissolves into a suffocating mire of guilt and self-loathing. Fuller masterfully crafts an atmosphere of mounting dread, eschewing typical Western bravura for a more intimate, character-driven narrative. The performances effectively convey the internal torment of the characters, making this a compelling, albeit dark, dive into the consequences of ambition unchecked by morality. While perhaps not as widely celebrated as some of Fuller's later works, it remains a potent early example of his distinctive directorial voice, offering a grim yet fascinating look at the destructive nature of sin.