Review of Jackie (2016) by Jon C — 29 Jan 2017
Natalie Portman, Billy Crudup, Peter Saarsgard, John Hurt, and Greta Gerwig.
Portman displays Jackie Kennedy as an actual woman going through real trauma after the death of JFK; the film switches back and forth between the interview she's taking and what followed after the President's passing.
Director Pablo Lerrain really explores the psychology of someone attempting to carry the mantle of the White House, handling the art of politics, and even choosing where her husband should be buried; she even wonders if she still has her whole life ahead of her.
She's also the face of what a modern woman in the 1960's is supposed to look like while at the same time she's unsure of whether or not her story should be told.
The American public to her would only see her as JFK's wife but Jackie wants her position to be quite clear that she is more than just the First Lady and have everyone see the truth.
Yet she doesn't want her vanity to cost people's lives in the process.
There's also the cabinet's fear that other co-conspirators of the assassination would still be present.
Bobby even asks what have the Kennedy's truly accomplished and what else they could've done?
She even seeks solace in her priest and he tells her that the lives we have are enough, we seek answers continuously, and it's worth it to keep going.
In the end Jackie never wanted fame she just became a Kennedy and the funeral march wasn't for his legacy, it was for her, she made her mark on the White House.
The Camelot theme is present throughout as well; the story of a band of people gathering to fight for a better world, will there ever be another one?
Perfect people can't change, a first lady should always be ready to move out because it's inevitable, most people don't have to make such huge decisions because they're not married to the commander in chief, and two kinds of women exist: those who want power in the world and those who want power in bed.
The acting is top-notch, the cinematography is seamless matching the 1960's feel, the music is haunting if somewhat distracting, and it's very gritty and raw opening a side of American history that's rarely seen on the inside.
The film is like a smooth opera all the way through.
Truly one of the best performances of Natalie Portman's career.
This review of Jackie (2016) was written by Jon C on 29 Jan 2017.
Jackie has generally received positive reviews.
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