Killing Kennedy

The made-for-TV special on the anniversary of Kennedy's death was no masterpiece.  Reviewers called it "bland" and "boring."

I'd have to concur.  I was amazed at how flat and uninteresting the movie was, given the highly entrancing subject matter, the passing of one of our most popular presidents and the portrait of Camelot in all its glory.

I'd like to address the one aspect of the movie that was the most captivating:  the extent to which the actors captured the real players in the great American tragedy.   Check out the pictures above.  That's where we need to begin.

Top pic:  Jackie and Ginnifer Goodwin.  Yes, both pretty and the resemblance is remarkable.  You might remember Ginnifer from Big Love, where she excelled as one of three wives.  She does a fine job of bringing an emotional Jackie to life.  But she never quite achieves the Camelot lady in all her splendor and stature.

Then there's Lee Harvey Oswald, played by Will Rothhaar.  Who?  Yeah, I said the same thing.  I looked him up, and he has mostly done small theater productions back east.  The casting agent must have noted the similarity in looks and chosen the little known actor.  Rothhaar is average, yet the movie gives us a nice story of how the ex-Marine emigrated to Russia only later to return disgruntled to the USA.  Rothhaar does not rise to the infamous heights of the real Oswald.  He's unidimensional and shallow as an actor.

OK, on to the main man, Rob Lowe.  There are moments when Lowe really seems Kennedy-esque.  His mannerisms are occasionally reminiscent of the beloved president.  But overall, he's a weak second to JFK.  He seems to push too hard to get into the role, wavering between grinning foolishly to show off his good looks and wallowing aimlessly into the muddy waters of emotionalism.

Now to my favorite:  Michelle Trachtenberg.  She's so much prettier than Marina Oswald that I dared not post a picture of the wife of the assassin.  Michelle soars as the abused, misdirected, immature young bride who falls for the expat in the Soviet Union only to end up in a land that is foreign and hostile to her, with a violent madman as a husband.

Grade of B-.  Somewhat entertaining, definitely educational, historically accurate, and DULL!

I'd suggest seeing JFK and Jackie themselves in documentaries if you wish to revisit this happy and sad time in U.S. history.