Excellent Example of Editing

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2006)

The main reason JFK is considered such an excellent film is the creative use of editing by the film's director and behind the scene's co-editor Oliver Stone. The main editors on the film are Joe Hutshing and Pietro Scalia. Of course Hutshing worked with Stone before, notably on "Born on the Forth of July" - another editor's movie. Scalia was a new choice for Stone and chosen no doubt for his technical aptitude for editing and being new Stone could easily be Scalia's puppet-master and pull the strings.
The film in some ways is a throwback to the great epic films that use to come from the studios in the golden age of Hollywood. Stating the obvious, it is based on true-life events of New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison and the death of President Kennedy and the only trial resulting from the crime. Some might argue that it's documentary-like presentation is at times too much information and slows down the film. For film aficionados this may be the reason the film is such a draw for them. Certainly a better film than it's rival for the Oscar nod and winner in 1991 "The Silence of the Lambs."
With an all-star cast, from beginning to end the film never stalls and speeds along like a roller-coaster ride. If there is an argument to be made for where the film might slow it would be the trial scenes. Don't mention the trial excerpts to any JFK conspiracy for they will tell you that the trial scenes are not transcript favorable. There is a lot of artistic license taken and watching this portion of the movie over and over you may be numbed into believing a test after the film may be forthcoming.
Decidedly this is an excellent film with fantastic acting, the direction is expertly applied and the editing is the star of the film. Considered one of Stone's best work, this film is one for the annals of movie making legends. If the digits rules allowed it, the award would be more than two thumbs up.