REVIEW: JFK

My Rating:

My last review was the impressive, while not up-to-expectation, Super 8, back in June, 2011. 


Oliver Stone's JFK opens with a powerful quote that carries throughout the whole movie: "To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men." - Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Stone, known for his controversial, politically charged films, sticks to the theme with one of the most popular, yet least truly-understood conspiracies in American history: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.


Three years after the fact, New Orleans District Attorney, Jim Garrison (Costner), who played an insignificant role in the initial investigation into Lee Harvey Oswald, notices inconsistencies with the Warren Commission, the official report on the assassination of JFK. Finding shotty police and investigative work that is unacceptable by any attorney's office standards, he launches an investigation of his own. Discovering possible motives by some of the most powerful people in the United States intelligence community, Garrison comes under political fire and receives threats from unknown sources. Getting deeper than initially expected, Garrison continues his investigation, biting off more than he ever expected.

Now, if you're ever thinking of checking this one out (which in my opinion, you should), know that you are getting yourself into a 3 and a half hour long movie. Don't let the length deter you, just set some time aside, and take breaks if you have to. Breathe! You can get through it!

JFK starts extremely slow, and somewhat confusing. There are plenty of story pieces being set, all of which seem out of place. Putting you in almost the exact position of the attorneys, the investigation starts slow with little leads and few clues to go off of. Once the ball starts rolling, more pieces of the puzzle are added, and the story picks up.

A recognizable cast peppers the film, with small roles from Wayne Knight (Newman on Seinfeld), Kevin Bacon, Donald Sutherland, and Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead) filling the space nicely. Strong performances by both Tommy Lee Jones (who won an Academy Award for his supporting role) and Kevin Costner make the three hours pass easily. Costner also delivers one of the best monologues I have heard in recent times, which solidified my ending impressions of the film.

Nominated for eight, and winning two Oscars (Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography) at the 1992 Academy Awards, JFK wasn't overlooked. Being a dense film, populated with different conspiracy theories, JFK reminds us that we shouldn't believe everything we're told. Pointing out some obvious problems with the Warren Commission, Oliver Stone is sure to mention that later investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) concluded that JFK was "very likely assassinated as a result of a conspiracy". The truth is ambiguous, and Stone implores people to question what they're told with every resource available.

JFK starts slow, but ends fantastically strong, thanks to one of the best courtroom scenes I've ever witnessed.  Oliver Stone makes you think once again, with one of the longest, most engrossing historical films of the decade.


Released: December 1991
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Written by: Oliver Stone, Zachary Sklar (Screenplay), Jim Garrison (Book: On the Trail of the Assasins), Jim Marrs (Book: Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy)
Cast: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Wayne Knight, Joe Pesci, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Bacon, Donald Sutherland, Jay O. Sanders, Michael Rooker
Rating: R
Length: 3 hrs 24 mins


Special Note: (**SPOILER**) Seinfeld fans, pay attention to Wayne Knight (Newman) during the 'Magic Bullet' recreation. Remind you of this scene from the episode, "The Boyfriend", in season 3? This is one of the greatest references from the show, naturally.