Review of Jackie (2016) by Roy M — 03 Jan 2017

I found this film exploitative and unimaginative. It seemed primarily interested in the spectacle that was the assassination and insisted on showing us every gory detail and placing us front row center for every raw moment of anguish. In terms of providing insight into the historical event itself, it provided nothing more than speculation and incoherent narrative. The only thematic message to be taken is that upper-class folks of the time were fixated, above all else, on the image they portrayed. There probably was that aspect to Jackie Kennedy but I think the film slights her in that she was a much fuller and more interesting person. Where, for instance, was a sense of the woman who would years later her celebrity to the successful effort to rescue Grand Central Station from the wrecking ball? The Jackie depicted in the film seems shallow, bitchy and insipid.

I'm sorry to say this film is worse than a waste of time but rather an exercise in masochism. It's painful to watch and provides no interesting insights or worthwhile message. To some extent it's interesting to watch Natalie Portman ape Jacqueline Kennedy -- for maybe the first five minutes. Still, it seems like an impression more than a realistic characterization.