Jackie

Now that we're near the end of the year, I have to start picking and choosing my films carefully lest I forget one. I'm sure in the next few days I'll see something I don't quite fancy, but when it comes to award season, I try to get all the ones that interest me out of the way. 

Jackie finally made its way to my local indie theater and it's a film I've been wanting to see. Unfortunately I had to miss it during the Denver Film Festival as I was busy during its closing, Red Carpet night. 

I've always enjoyed Natalie Portman's work, especially in her more challenging roles and I think she's probably one of the top three actresses alive when it comes to talent. The fact that she's insanely smart is a surprise to no one, but a lot of that plays into her character study of the people she portrays. 

Jackie Kennedy, First Lady and wife of John F. Kennedy, is a historical figure that I was merely aware about before this film. I knew very little about her and obviously much more about the event that shaped her life and the entire world: JFK's assassination. I think many people of my generation are somewhat jaded by the assassination of JFK because it was so long ago. In this day and age I don't think many can fathom a President being assassinated and, despite how heavily you lean to one side, it's just not something that crosses many people's minds (hopefully). I imagine it was a day somewhat akin to 9/11. That's not to compare one man's life to several thousand, but more comparing the political turmoil of the time and what followed to what happened over a decade ago to us. It was a gruesome ordeal and it left many Americans scarred. One political cartoon I saw stated that it was the turning point at which many Baby Boomers lost their innocence -- sound familiar to 9/11 now?

Shockingly similar appearance and mannerisms

Regardless, I think a lot of people forget that Jackie not only survived, but that she was sitting right next to him when it happened. If you're going to this film to learn more about the woman's life and history, you'll be disappointed. It pretty much focuses on the days/weeks/months directly after she lost her husband. Normally I'd be adverse to this narrow of a view, but for this film it works because it pretty much reveals as much within the first five minutes. 

I can't even imagine what was going
through her head during this shower

Much like the assassination itself, I think a lot of us take her role for granted. Being right next to her husband when it happened -- I can't even begin to imagine the horror and imagery. It's clear that shock took over for a while and for good reason. The film explores the woman, her thoughts, her struggles, and her future after the fact. How much of it is dramatized, I sincerely don't know, but respecting that the filmmakers did a significant amount of research, Jackie Kennedy makes a highly interesting character study. Often seen as a vain but beautiful woman, she copes with this after the funeral. She wants to grieve her husband, but a part of her wants to put on a show, but another part of her wants to be done with all of it. Of course, this all leads up to a discussion of Natalie Portman's unforgettable performance that's in retrospect fairly subtle. It's very little things that she brings that make Mrs. Kennedy. Her accent (which she nails by the way), her odd, often unblinking eyes, her slow smile, and the list goes on. I was sincerely captivated and I think it's one of the best performances of the year from any actor or actress. Portman can call on emotions whenever she sees fit which draws you in immensely to the realism of the history. To be fair to the woman, I imagine any of us would be "odd" if we'd buried two of our infant children (a fact I previously had no idea about) and a loved one died in front of me the way JFK did. It's actually a small wonder that she remained as put together as she arguably did. 

Outside of Portman's performance is a great movie as well. One that I don't think I'd ever need to watch again, but great nonetheless. I liked the unique approach it took to telling the story in a non-sequential manner, based less on timeline and more on memories as Jackie is interviewed by a journalist. It's not so random that you're left wondering what the hell is going on, and is organized in a way that you *most of the time* understand when and where you are. Most scenes have a purpose to explain an event or her character more and the film is surprisingly brisk at just over 90 minutes ( I was surprised too). The cinematography is often gorgeous and well suited for the event, though I found the quick cuts to "old footage" distracting. Outside of the White House tour video that circulates, I couldn't quite tell if other footage was actual historical documents or a filter on the current film itself. The original score is also stupendous and melancholy and used in almost every scene. Sometimes it's way overused and too loud for the scenario at hand, but that's only a handful of times. 

Such a surreal image

Although I recognize this has been a short review, there isn't much more to say about Jackie. It's a very strong historical character study with a central performance that's one of the best of the year. Unless you're completely void of interest in the life of Jackie or the JFK assassination at all, I imagine that nearly everyone will walk away from this film with all of the following: having learned something about Jackie Kennedy, a new appreciation for what she went through, and a renewed appreciation for Portman's acting prowess.

CONS:

• I have to list it here but it's not something I'd likely rewatch again. Just a one-time view
• Original score overpowers several scenes
• A few cutbacks to what appears to be stock footage is distracting because it's used so briefly each time
• Those looking for an analysis of Jackie Kennedy's life before and far after the assassination will be disappointed. I do wish that it would have had some sort of blurb as to what happened to her decades on down the road

PROS:

• Immensely interesting. I wouldn't consider myself a huge history buff, but I know the significance of JFK's assassination. This film provides a strong analysis and study of the woman who was quite literally the closest to him when it happened
• Jackie is a highly captivating character. She's extremely odd but almost understandably so given the circumstances
• Natalie Portman gives one of the best performances of the year, easily
• A gorgeous looking film
• Unique and appreciated approach to telling its story. It's not linear, but it's also not confusing as it hops around
• Perfectly somber and haunting original score

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10