An excellent, star-studded historical drama.

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2001)

I first saw 'JFK' a while ago, and have since seen it many times. I love the broad range of interesting characters, the amazing sets, and the historical significance.
Kevin Costner stars as New Orleans D.A. Jim Garrison, who, in the years following the Kennedy Assassination, conducts an investigation thats sole purpose is to find the true killers of President John F. Kennedy. Along the way, he meets some of the most diverse characters I've ever seen in a movie. They include David Ferrie (Joe Pesci), a extra-nervous anti-Castro radical; Guy Bannister (Ed Asner), a sleazy P.I. who ran guns for an invasion of Cuba; Jack Martin (Jack Lemmon), Bannister's assistant; Willie O'Keefe, a gay male prostitute who heard conversations of many of the key players in the "conspiracy"; "X" (Donald Sutherland), an anonymous defense department official who believes the assassination was a conspiracy in the government; and Dean Andrews (John Candy), a New Orleans lawyer who was approached to defend Lee Harvey Oswald by a mysterious man. Eventually, Garrison arrests businessman Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones) and a thrilling, vivid court case ensues, whose verdict is not known until the last minute of the film.
All of the performers in the film portray their characters with equal gusto, and any hint of the actor or actress is forgotten; they become their characters. Kevin Costner has a good accent and great screen presence. Sissy Spacek is also good as his wife, Liz Garrison. Tommy Lee Jones, wearing a humorous wig, brings a certain class to his role. The late John Candy, in one of his only dramatic roles, is wonderful as the jive-ing Dean Andrews. Gary Oldman is perfectly cast as Lee Harvey Oswald, and his attitude and appearance perfectly reflect the accused assassin.

In conclusion, 'JFK' is not only a history lesson, but it is also an entertaining period piece. Despite its 'R' rating for extreme language and some violence, it is an excellent film, and, in my opinion, one of Oliver Stone's best.