Scary for the wrong reasons.

Rating: Null/10 (16 January 1999)

First of all this is a good movie; very absorbing and an excellent cast. But I am disturbed because of some viewers reaction to the film, not the actual content. This film and Garrison's views and morals have been questioned from all corners including some of the most outspoken Conspiracy theorists. The film gives time to every hair-brained theory ever dreamed up and everyone (except Garrison) is implicated, (including the Judge, the Jury, LBJ, The Press and even Garrison's own staff). It covers and glorifies Garrisons persecution of Clay Shaw (who was a real person and was ruined by Garrison) which still today is looked upon with shame in Southern Politics and Law practises. Some of the Assistant DA's on Garrison's staff were so sickened by these events (and others) that they quit law and have since written books to at least try and re-dress the story. So you see, to watch this film and come away with a sense of "Gee ain't Jim Garrison great?" is truly hienous. Oliver Stone has often commented on the Press's ability to put their own spin on things, but he must have known when researching and making the film that a lot of the "Evidence" is so obviously fabricated. The fact that he has used this to spin what is a real and very important story in the syle of a documentary is offensive to me. That's what's scary; a film that can make a guilty man innocent, an innocent man guilty and glorify the man responsible in such a convincing way.