Watch Frank and Jesse
- R
- 1994
- 1 hr 45 min
-
5.7 (1,593)
Frank and Jesse is a biographical western film from 1994 that tells the story of the James-Younger gang, specifically the infamous outlaw siblings Frank and Jesse James. The movie is directed by Robert Boris and stars Rob Lowe as Jesse James, Bill Paxton as Frank James, and country singer Randy Travis as Cole Younger. The movie begins in the aftermath of the American Civil War, where the James family is struggling to make ends meet. Frank and Jesse are former Confederate soldiers who turn to a life of crime, robbing banks and trains to provide for their family and get revenge against the Union forces they feel wronged them. They are joined on their heists by Cole Younger and his brothers, who are also former Confederate soldiers out for revenge.
As the gang continues their criminal activities, they become more notorious and feared by law enforcement. They are pursued by Pinkerton detective Allan Pinkerton (played by William Atherton) and Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden (played by John Pyper-Ferguson), who are determined to bring the James-Younger gang to justice.
Amidst the action and gunfire, the movie also explores the relationships between the members of the gang. Frank and Jesse have a close bond as brothers, and Cole Younger becomes like a surrogate brother to them. They share their struggles with being outlaws and their desire to provide for their loved ones. There is also a romantic subplot between Jesse and Zerelda Mimms (played by Alexis Arquette), who would later become his wife.
The movie also incorporates historical elements, including the Northfield Raid, one of the gang's most famous attempted heists, which ends in a bloody shootout with local townspeople. The aftermath of the raid would ultimately lead to the downfall of the James-Younger gang.
Overall, Frank and Jesse is an entertaining western with plenty of action and drama. The performances by Rob Lowe and Bill Paxton as the famous outlaw brothers are strong, and Randy Travis adds a nice touch as the loyal and charismatic Cole Younger. The movie does a good job of exploring the motivations and relationships of the gang members, while also staying true to the historical events that shaped their story. Fans of westerns and true crime stories will enjoy this movie.
Frank and Jesse is a 1994 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.