Movie Scene
'American Outlaws' takes liberties with real story of Jesse James
By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service
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(PG-13) Two Stars (Fair) A slight, youth-oriented, heavily fictionalized version of the Jesse James legend, with Colin Farrell as the outlaw, and Scott Caan as his partner, Cole Younger. Les Mayfield directs with little flair or sense of the myth. Warner Bros., 95 mins. |
With a nod to potential young viewers, the producers willingly admit "American Outlaws" is to Jesse James what "Young Guns" was to Billy the Kid. In other words, they grabbed a red-hot young hunk (Farrell), and placed him at the center of a youth-oriented action romp with minimal interest in the classic myth or the real-life history of the outlaws.
With that as their goal, they generally succeed.
But, while "American Outlaws" is way ahead of "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter" (1966) and much of the other James junk, it's not in a league with the handful of classic movies about the Old West's most fabled outlaw.
In "American Outlaws," the James-Younger gang is depicted as a variation of Robin Hood and his merry men. As Missouri men, just returned from the Civil War, they're forced into bank robbery as a way to combat the evil railroad that's forcing them off their farms. In other words, they rob from the rich to protect (or avenge) the poor.
And they never harm anyone who doesn't deserve it, and even let a few who do off the hook.
According to this film, Jesse and Frank James turn to crime after their mother (Kathy Bates) is killed. (In truth, Mrs. James lost a hand in the incident, but outlived Jesse, and even charged visitors to her Missouri farm 25 cents to view her son's grave.)
Of course, this Western Robin Hood has his Maid Marian, a hometown Missouri girl named Zee (Ali Carter) who has a crush on Jesse. She eventually rides to the rescue and saves him from hanging (like THAT really happened).
And there's a nefarious Sheriff of Nottingham in the form of relentless railroad enforcer Allan Pinkerton (Timothy Dalton).
The good-looking Farrell certainly has a flair for action and charismatic sex appeal, and successfully hides his Irish accent. As his partner and cousin, Cole Younger, Caan is all puffed-up bravado.
Director Les Mayfield's work in such slight comedies as "Blue Streak," "Flubber," and "Encino Man" did little to prepare him for the period feel or epic scope of a classic Western – which may be why there is no sense of scope or myth about "American Outlaws."
A few action scenes, though, are well staged, including a wild shootout on a moving train. But Mayfield and the writers end their story in the middle, so to speak; opting for an upbeat finale with Jesse and Zee in love and off to the farm. In truth, Jesse was shot in the back at 34, giving a tragic aura to one of the most famous of Western figures.
For the real deal – movie-wise and myth-wise – check out "Jesse James" (1949) with Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda, "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid" (1972) with Cliff Robertson and Robert Duvall; and especially the magnificent "Long Riders"(1980).
Rated PG-13, with western violence.
