This is NOT your average western. The acting is first rate throughout, from top to bottom. The character of James as a paranoid, lonely, self-centered, scheming, murderer/robber is well-depicted...there isn't much to admire in this version of Jesse James. The Fords aren't much better; to admire them as James' killers is to ignore why they did it in the first place. Moving Frank James nearly completely out of the movie was a good touch. As I said, though, this is not the type of western Hollywood usually puts out. It is more of a character study, and a good one at that. Just be ready for that when you watch it. Why four stars? A few things didn't work for me, but, that might just be me.