*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
Starring Natalie Portman as one of the United States of America's most iconic First Ladies, Jackie is a deeply moving biopic that surrounds her life after the assassination of her husband, the 36th President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Her story is told through an interview with a journalist (Billy Crudup), however, she's strict about certain things being published. If anyone has ever pondered about Jacqueline Kennedy's life and how she got through the days after her husband's death, Jackie is a must-watch.
A searing and intimate portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Jackie places us in her world during the days immediately following her husband's assassination. Known for her extraordinary dignity and poise, here we see a psychological portrait of the First Lady as she struggles to maintain her husband's legacy and the world of 'Camelot' that they created and loved so well.
This is the first English-speaking feature film for Chilean director Pablo Larraín and choosing to create a film based on the life of Mrs John F. Kennedy must be a daunting task. Nevertheless, Larraín
has succeeded in creating an engaging motion picture that captures the audience's attention the whole way through. He captures Jackie's vulnerability by showing scenes of her crying alone in the shower which makes us feel sympathy for her. However, whenever she's surrounded by others, she manages to put on a brave face as she knows she's being watched. This is what makes her admirable.
Portman gives her best performance since winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress in Black Swan in 2011. At time of writing this, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and I wouldn't be surprised to see her nominated for her third Oscar. She successfully manages to recreate the Jackie we all know and have seen in pictures: the smiling Jackie in her stylish and memorable pieces of clothing and the grieving widow. If it wasn't for Portman's shining performance, Jackie wouldn't work. Fortunately, she gives a strong performance throughout which is the main reason this film is a success. Another performance worth mentioning is Peter Sarsgaad as Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy, who, after his brother's death, developed a close relationship with Jackie. Sarsgaad performs as Bobby with honest emotion. We also see Jackie's relationship with Nancy Tukerman (Greta Gerwig), who was the Social Secretary. Despite the support network around her, Jackie still felt alone, especially without her husband.
Many biopics feel like a Wikipedia article brought to the big screen but Jackie is more similar to that of a documentary. We, as an audience, don't feel like we're being told something. We learn of certain events through dialogue and recreation. We see the actual assassination through flashbacks and, for many, may be a difficult scene to watch. However, it's no less powerful. November 22 1963 was a dark day for, not only the people of America but for millions of citizens across the globe. It was a life changing event that should never be forgotten. Fortunately, with films like this, it won't be and President John F. Kennedy and his wife will always be remembered.
Undoubtedly, the scenes that show Jackie post-assassination are the most engaging as it show us how difficult her life was. We also watch as she's interviewed by the journalist who is never given a name but is said to be based on Theodore H. White who wrote for LIFE magazine and conducted a real-life interview with Jackie. Understandably, Jackie is a private person and will only let him publish certain things in his article. She gives a powerful speech about the assassination itself but immediately refuses to let the journalist publish what she just said. It makes us wonder what Jackie was really like. Many will remember her for being the husband of the 36th President, however, this films shows us she was more than that. She was a woman who was thrust into the spotlight and had her life change.
Jackie offers an alluring peek into a beloved American public figure's private world. Natalie Portman shines in the leading role and makes this biopic a worthy watch. Pablo Larraín succeeds in creating a visually stunning and emotionally raw motion picture.
8/10
A searing and intimate portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Jackie places us in her world during the days immediately following her husband's assassination. Known for her extraordinary dignity and poise, here we see a psychological portrait of the First Lady as she struggles to maintain her husband's legacy and the world of 'Camelot' that they created and loved so well.
This is the first English-speaking feature film for Chilean director Pablo Larraín and choosing to create a film based on the life of Mrs John F. Kennedy must be a daunting task. Nevertheless, Larraín
has succeeded in creating an engaging motion picture that captures the audience's attention the whole way through. He captures Jackie's vulnerability by showing scenes of her crying alone in the shower which makes us feel sympathy for her. However, whenever she's surrounded by others, she manages to put on a brave face as she knows she's being watched. This is what makes her admirable.
Portman gives her best performance since winning her first Academy Award for Best Actress in Black Swan in 2011. At time of writing this, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and I wouldn't be surprised to see her nominated for her third Oscar. She successfully manages to recreate the Jackie we all know and have seen in pictures: the smiling Jackie in her stylish and memorable pieces of clothing and the grieving widow. If it wasn't for Portman's shining performance, Jackie wouldn't work. Fortunately, she gives a strong performance throughout which is the main reason this film is a success. Another performance worth mentioning is Peter Sarsgaad as Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy, who, after his brother's death, developed a close relationship with Jackie. Sarsgaad performs as Bobby with honest emotion. We also see Jackie's relationship with Nancy Tukerman (Greta Gerwig), who was the Social Secretary. Despite the support network around her, Jackie still felt alone, especially without her husband.
Many biopics feel like a Wikipedia article brought to the big screen but Jackie is more similar to that of a documentary. We, as an audience, don't feel like we're being told something. We learn of certain events through dialogue and recreation. We see the actual assassination through flashbacks and, for many, may be a difficult scene to watch. However, it's no less powerful. November 22 1963 was a dark day for, not only the people of America but for millions of citizens across the globe. It was a life changing event that should never be forgotten. Fortunately, with films like this, it won't be and President John F. Kennedy and his wife will always be remembered.
Undoubtedly, the scenes that show Jackie post-assassination are the most engaging as it show us how difficult her life was. We also watch as she's interviewed by the journalist who is never given a name but is said to be based on Theodore H. White who wrote for LIFE magazine and conducted a real-life interview with Jackie. Understandably, Jackie is a private person and will only let him publish certain things in his article. She gives a powerful speech about the assassination itself but immediately refuses to let the journalist publish what she just said. It makes us wonder what Jackie was really like. Many will remember her for being the husband of the 36th President, however, this films shows us she was more than that. She was a woman who was thrust into the spotlight and had her life change.
Jackie offers an alluring peek into a beloved American public figure's private world. Natalie Portman shines in the leading role and makes this biopic a worthy watch. Pablo Larraín succeeds in creating a visually stunning and emotionally raw motion picture.
8/10
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