JFK **** OF **** grade is A+
JFK is about one man's crusade for the truth in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. This man, Jim Garrison (played marvelously by Kevin Costner) is district attorney of New Orleans, and slowly becomes obsessed with the Kennedy case. He investigates the sloppy case, while dealing separately with family problems, press leaks, death threats, fighting among staff and someone bugging his office. What suspects he does interview seem shady and unreliable, as he becomes further emerged in his case.
JFK is gripping and brilliantly written and directed, this is also the birth and height of Stone's truly original, artistic approach to movie making. JFK offers an absolutely gripping tale that weaves with wonderful dialogue and characters and turns with pure movie making flare. It is to Stone's credit that we are captivated and fixated during the film's over three hours of running time.
He acting is also brilliant and amazing, with an all star cast that rips up the screen with fury. Kevin Costner has his career best role in this film, the best performance he will ever give. Sissy Spacek has a great turn as his growingly annoyed and concerned wife. Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci are superb in small but important roles.
Stone was criticized as being a vast conspiracy theorist after the release of this film and that is a shame because this film is more interested in the truth than concocting some nutty theory about who killed Kennedy. This film has the same goal as its hero Jim Garrison does as they both approach it fast and hard. They aren't willing to compromise to suit everybody and don't care if you disagree with their opinions. JFK, though based on two books (Crossfire: The Plot to Kill Kennedy & On the Trail of the Assassins), should not be taken as a documentary and some scenes may crumble if put to intense scrutiny.
What is so wonderful about JFK is that it puts that intense scrutiny on the government, Warren's report and autopsy/police records. Many inconsistencies and impossibilities are seen as the theories are questioned and made to crumble. I guess JFK may be conspiratorial and somewhat inaccurate BUT so are the reports we are offered, most of which are incomplete or incomprehensible to a common sense.
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