Chappaquiddick ( film ) - wikipedia Chappaquiddick ( film ) This article is about the film based on the Ted Kennedy incident. For the incident itself, see Chappaquiddick incident. For the island, see Chappaquiddick Island. Chappaquiddick Theatrical release poster Directed by John Curran Produced by Mark Ciardi Chris Cowles Campbell G. McInnes Written by Taylor Allen Andrew Logan Starring Jason Clarke Kate Mara Ed Helms Jim Gaffigan Clancy Brown Olivia Thirlby Bruce Dern Music by Garth Stevenson Cinematography Maryse Alberti Edited by Keith Fraase Production company Apex Entertainment Distributed by Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures Release date September 10, 2017 ( 2017 - 09 - 10 ) ( TIFF ) April 6, 2018 ( 2018 - 04 - 06 ) ( United States ) Running time 101 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $34 million Box office $17.8 million Chappaquiddick is a 2017 American drama film directed by John Curran and written by Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan. The film stars Jason Clarke as Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy and Kate Mara as Mary Jo Kopechne, with Ed Helms, Bruce Dern, Jim Gaffigan, Clancy Brown, and Olivia Thirlby in supporting roles. The plot details the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident, wherein Senator Kennedy drove his car into a lake killing Kopechne, and the subsequent political and social ramifications. Principal photography began in Boston in September 2016. The film originally premiered at the Gala Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2017, and was released in the United States on April 6, 2018, by Entertainment Studios. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its balanced screenplay and Clarke 's performance. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Release 5 Reception 5.1 Box office 5.2 Critical response 5.3 Response by journalists and politicians 5.4 Accolades 6 References 7 External links Plot In July, 1969, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Ted Kennedy ( Clarke ) gives an interview, where he is questioned about standing in the shadow of his brothers, John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. After the interview, he calls his cousin, Joe Gargan ( Helms ) to arrange for hotel rooms on Martha 's Vineyard for the Boiler Room Girls, his brother Robert 's campaign staff. Ted travels to Chappaquiddick Island, where he meets with Joe and US Attorney General for Massachusetts Paul Markham ( Gaffigan ) for a sail race. After losing the race, Ted goes to a party at a beach house with his friends and the Boiler Room Girls. Ted leaves the party with Mary Jo Kopechne ( Mara ). After a brief stop, they begin driving away, and encounter a police officer from Edgartown. Ted drives away, and drives off of the Dike Bridge into a pond. Ted escapes from the overturned car, and calls out for Mary Jo. He flees the scene, and makes the walk back to the party at the beach house. He tells his story to Gargan and Markham, who drive to the Dike Bridge and unsuccessfully attempt to enter the overturned vehicle. Gargan and Markham take a rowboat to Edgartown with Ted, and insist that he turn himself in to the police. Instead, he returns to his hotel room for the night. The next morning, the overturned vehicle is discovered by a man and his son, who call the police. The police chief and the fire department recover Kopechne 's body from the car, and find that it is registered to Ted. Gargan and Markham realize that Ted has not turned himself in, and insist that he must. Ted and Markham go to the Edgartown Police Department, and wait for the return of Chief Arena. After reading a prepared statement, Ted travels to the Kennedy Compound in Hyannisport. Upon arriving at home, Ted encounters his disabled father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. ( Dern ), who is disappointed in his son 's actions, and feels that he has disgraced the family. Ted meets with his family 's legal team, who attempt to portray Ted in a sympathetic manner to encourage national support. Ted attempts to recover his image, and travels to Kopechne 's funeral in a neck brace, for which he is ridiculed. Gargan becomes increasingly disgusted with Ted and his actions, feeling that it neglects the death of Kopechne. As Gargan attempts to resign, Ted requests that he draft his resignation speech. Ted announces that he intends to address the nation. Ted Sorensen ( Nichols ) writes an apologetic speech for Ted, which he decides to read instead of Gargan 's resignation speech. In the credits, it is explained that Joseph Kennedy Sr. died soon after the incident, Gargan became estranged from the family, and Ted Kennedy served in the U.S. Senate for forty years. Cast Jason Clarke as Ted Kennedy Kate Mara as Mary Jo Kopechne Ed Helms as Joe Gargan Bruce Dern as Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. Jim Gaffigan as Paul F. Markham Taylor Nichols as Ted Sorensen Clancy Brown as Robert McNamara Olivia Thirlby as Rachel Schiff Lexie Roth as Nance Lyons John Fiore as Chief Arena Vince Tycer as David Burke Andria Blackman as Joan Bennett Kennedy Tamara Hickey as Marilyn Richards Alison Wachtler as Liz Trotta Victor Warren as Stephen Edward Smith Donald Watson as Dr. Watt Matthew Lawler as Dun Gifford Angela Hope Smith as Maryellen Lyons Brad Wheelwright as sailor David De Beck as Sargent Shriver Patrick Sheehan as John V. Tunney Production On December 14, 2015, it was announced that Sam Taylor - Johnson would direct the film, though she later dropped out. On April 25, 2016, it was announced Jason Clarke would play Ted Kennedy, with John Curran directing. On July 7, 2016, Kate Mara and Ed Helms joined the cast, to play Mary Jo Kopechne and Joe Gargan, respectively. On July 20, 2016, Bruce Dern was added as Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., while Jim Gaffigan and Olivia Thirlby joined the cast on August 31, 2016, and principal photography began in Boston on September 7, 2016. Release On September 8, 2017, Entertainment Studios acquired distribution rights to the film for $4 million. The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10. The film was initially scheduled for an awards season release, on December 8, 2017, but was moved back to April 6, 2018. The studio spent $16 million on promotion and advertisement. Reception Box office In the United States and Canada, Chappaquiddick was released alongside A Quiet Place, Blockers and The Miracle Season, and was projected to gross $2 -- 4 million from 1,560 theaters in its opening weekend. It ended up debuting above expectations with $5.8 million, finishing 7th at the box office. Deadline Hollywood noted it was still a low figure given Entertainment Picture 's $4 million purchase of the film and their $16 million advertising campaign, although the studio itself was satisfied with the results. In its second weekend the film dropped 47 % to $3.1 million, finishing 10th. Critical response On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 80 % based on 113 reviews, and an average rating of 7 / 10. The website 's critical consensus reads, `` Chappaquidick ca n't help leaving some of this true story 's most intriguing questions unanswered, but it 's bolstered by outstanding work from Jason Clarke in the central role. '' On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating to reviews, the film has an average score of 67 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating `` generally favorable reviews ''. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of `` B '' on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported men and women over the age of 25 ( the film 's largest demographic ) gave it respective overall positive scores of 80 % and 72 %. Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter called the film methodical but lacking passion, writing : `` It 's doubtful that many Americans under the age of 40 or so even know what the name Chappaquiddick refers to, which might in itself provide solid justification for making a film about it. But the drama of the tragic July 18, 1969, accident... needed more energetic and incisive treatment than it receives in this sober, somewhat slack telling. '' Response by journalists and politicians In a March 2018 interview, Byron Allen, CEO of Entertainment Studios, which distributed the film, stated that `` there are some very powerful people who tried to put pressure on me not to release this movie ''. Boston Herald journalist Howie Carr speculated that this was a reference to Chris Dodd, who had been a longtime friend and ally of Kennedy 's when he served in the U.S. Senate, and had more recently been president of the Motion Picture Association of America. Journalist Neal Gabler, who at the time was writing a biography of Ted Kennedy, criticized the film as a mix of `` conjecture and outright fabrication ''. As one example, he stated, `` Contrary to the film 's implications, Mr. Kennedy immediately and forever after felt deep remorse and responsibility for the accident ; it haunted him. '' Similarly, longtime Kennedy aide and speechwriter Bob Shrum criticized the film for `` trafficking in conspiracy theories '', stating that Kennedy had never tried to cover up or minimize his responsibility for Kopechne 's death. Conservative commentator Mark Steyn called Chappaquiddick an `` excellent film '' that shows how the `` acidic glamour of power corrodes '' Kennedy and many of those around him. He also stated his opinion that one exchange in the film was based on something Steyn had written : in the film, Kennedy remarks that even acclaimed historical figures, such as Moses, had personal flaws, and his cousin Joe Gargan retorts, `` Moses did n't leave a girl at the bottom of the Red Sea. '' Steyn noted that he had written something very similar in response to a 2009 column by Joan Vennochi praising Kennedy after his death. Accolades Year Festival Nominee ( s ) Result 2018 35th Miami International Film Festival Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award for Best Screenplay Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan Nominated References ^ Jump up to : McCarthy, Todd ( September 10, 2017 ). `` ' Chappaquiddick ' Review ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Shanahan, Mark ( May 11, 2018 ). `` Neil deGrasse Tyson is n't over the moon about ' Chappaquiddick ' ''. The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 13, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Chappaquiddick ( 2018 ) ''. The Numbers. Retrieved June 16, 2018. Jump up ^ Pond, Steve ( August 15, 2017 ). `` Aaron Sorkin, Brie Larson, Louis CK Movies Added to Toronto Film Festival Lineup ''. TheWrap. Retrieved August 15, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Thompson, Ann ( October 20, 2017 ). `` ' Chappaquiddick ' Moves Out of the Crowded Awards Season -- Exclusive ''. IndieWire. Penske Business Media. Retrieved November 6, 2017. Jump up ^ Giles, Jeff ( April 5, 2018 ). `` A Quiet Place and Blockers Are Certified Fresh ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 5, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Busch, Anita ( April 25, 2016 ). `` Jason Clarke Cast As Ted Kennedy In ' Chappaquiddick ' Movie ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 24, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Busch, Anita ( July 7, 2016 ). `` Kate Mara & Ed Helms Joining ' Chappaquiddick ' Movie ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 24, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Busch, Anita ( July 20, 2016 ). `` Bruce Dern Will Portray Joe Kennedy In ' Chappaquiddick ' ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 24, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hipes, Patrick ( August 31, 2016 ). `` Jim Gaffigan & Olivia Thirlby Join ' Chappaquiddick ' ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Jaafar, Ali ( December 14, 2015 ). `` Sam Taylor - Johnson Finds ' Fifty Shades ' Racy Follow - up In Ted Kennedy Scandal ' Chappaquiddick ' ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Busch, Anita ( September 8, 2017 ). `` ' Chappaquiddick ' : Ted Kennedy Tragedy Movie Acquired By Byron Allen in Toronto ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Siegel, Tatiana ( September 27, 2017 ). `` Ted Kennedy Movie ' Chappaquiddick ' Release Date Set for Dec. 8 ( Exclusive ) ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 21, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Rubin, Rebecca ( April 3, 2018 ). `` ' A Quiet Place ' Looks to Make Noise at Weekend Box Office ''. Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 3, 2018. ^ Jump up to : D'Alessandro, Anthony ( April 8, 2018 ). `` ' A Quiet Place ' Screams To $50 M+ Opening ; ' Blockers ' Breaks Through To $21 M+ -- Early Sunday Update ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 8, 2018. Jump up ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony ( April 15, 2018 ). `` The Rock Rebounds : ' Rampage ' Shushes ' A Quiet Place ' With $34 M+ No. 1 Opening ''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 17, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Chappaquiddick ( 2018 ) ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 16, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Chappaquiddick Reviews ''. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 16, 2018. Jump up ^ Brockington, Ariana ( March 29, 2018 ). `` ' Chappaquiddick ' : ' Powerful People ' Pressured Studio Not to Release Film, CEO Says ''. Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 20, 2018. Jump up ^ Mccallum, Martha ( April 2, 2018 ). `` Former ' Dreamer ' slams Trump over immigration proposals ''. Fox News. Retrieved April 20, 2018. But I have to say, Martha, the most obvious suspect would be Christopher Dodd, he was a former senator from Connecticut, a good big, long - time drinking buddy and pal of Ted Kennedy. They were involved in many numerous escapades in D.C. And he later became the president of the Motion Picture Association of America, the MPAA, until last December. And I think he would be the one who would make the overture to Byron Allen to stop it. Jump up ^ Gabler, Neal ( April 6, 2018 ). `` ' Chappaquiddick ' Distorts a Tragedy ''. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved April 20, 2018. Jump up ^ McNeil, Liz ( March 28, 2018 ). `` Mary Jo Kopechne 's Family on Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick : ' The Truth Has Never Really Come Out ' ''. People. Time. Retrieved April 20, 2018. Jump up ^ Steyn, Mark ( April 14, 2018 ). `` Chappaquiddick ( review ) ''. The Mark Steyn Club. Mark Steyn Enterprises. Retrieved April 20, 2018. External links Official site Chappaquiddick on IMDb Chappaquiddick at Box Office Mojo Chappaquiddick at Rotten Tomatoes hide Ted Kennedy February 22, 1932 -- August 25, 2009 United States Senator from Massachusetts, 1962 -- 2009 Electoral history United States Senate special election in Massachusetts, 1962 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 1964 1970 1976 1982 2000 2006 United States presidential election, 1980 ( Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1980 ) Books My Senator and Me : A Dog 's - Eye View of Washington, D.C. ( 2006 ) True Compass ( 2009 ) Family, family tree Joan Bennett Kennedy ( first wife ) Victoria Reggie Kennedy ( second wife, widow ) Kara Kennedy ( daughter ) Edward M. Kennedy Jr. ( son ) Patrick J. Kennedy II ( son ) Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. ( father ) Rose Kennedy ( mother ) Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. ( brother ) John F. Kennedy ( brother presidency ) Rosemary Kennedy ( sister ) Kathleen Kennedy ( sister ) Eunice Kennedy Shriver ( sister ) Patricia Kennedy Lawford ( sister ) Robert F. Kennedy ( brother ) Jean Kennedy Smith ( sister ) Patrick J. Kennedy I ( grandfather ) John F. Fitzgerald ( grandfather ) Related Awards and honors Political positions Kennedy Compound Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act Chappaquiddick incident The Dream Shall Never Die Mary Jo Kopechne Friends of Ireland Chappaquiddick ( 2018 film ) Commons Wikiquote Wikisource texts hide Films directed by John Curran Praise ( 1998 ) We Do n't Live Here Anymore ( 2004 ) The Painted Veil ( 2006 ) Stone ( 2010 ) Tracks ( 2013 ) Chappaquiddick ( 2017 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chappaquiddick_(film)&oldid=846470397 '' Categories : 2017 films English - language films American films Drama films based on actual events 2010s drama films American drama films Films about the Kennedy family Films set in 1969 Films set in Massachusetts Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from October 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia فارسی Français Italiano Nederlands 日本 語 Edit links This page was last edited on 18 June 2018, at 23 : 50 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who plays ted kennedy in the new movie chappaquiddick
Answer: Jason Clarke