Review of Jackie (2016) by Axet — 26 Dec 2016

Highly over-rated, morbid, morose, very limited character study which critics fall for based on subject and tone alone, as the jackasses tend to do. What separates this theatrical film from a Lifetime channel treatment? Obscenely graphic dialogue of JFK's head exploding for one thing. It's utterly inappropriate and doubtful she actually made those comments even off the record in reality. No this is a typically over-zealous Hollywood screenwriter who made those gratuitous choices and injected that. He and/or the director chose that emphasis. What does it do for us, the audience? Nothing beyond what we already know or need to know. That's for sure. It's photographed quite beautifully but the direction with its wall to wall maudlin score, an if not exactly unwelcome but unusual break from the norm, reeks of student film self indulgence.

Natalie is good. Does she deserve the Oscar? Maybe. Does this film deserve the praise the jackass herd trumpets? As usual not even close.