Conspiracy Thriller

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2013)

Oliver Stone directed this (still) extremely controversial film that takes the viewpoint of Louisiana District Attorney Jim Garrison(played by Kevin Costner) who believed that U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22. 1963 as part of a vast conspiracy concerning various hidden forces from both within and without the government. He eventually indicts businessman Clay Shaw(played by Tommy Lee Jones) as a co-conspirator, though is unable to obtain a conviction, even as he fears his own life is in danger, and meets with a mysterious "Mr. X"(played by Donald Sutherland) who knows all about it... Divisive film splits viewer into either believer or skeptic about whether Oswald acted alone or not. Garrison leaves no doubt about his opinion, but regardless, this film is remarkably compelling and brilliantly edited for maximum impact. Over three-hour long director's cut moves at a breathless pace, and film itself is riveting, though viewers who reject conspiracy can't get past the perceived distortions of fact. Stone was saying this film was his answer to the Warren Commission Report, which he regards as myth, though if only he had stayed scrupulously faithful to the facts, there wouldn't be these lingering doubts. Still, a masterpiece of storytelling.