A stunning piece of cinema

Rating: Null/10 (19 May 2004)

Oliver Stone's 'JFK' is quite simply put, a spectacular film. It is a film about one of the most enigmatic mysteries in American history, and is about courage, honor, and the American government. 'JFK' is a superbly well made picture, with powerful direction, top notch acting, and great visuals. On the fateful day of November 22, 1963 president John F. Kennedy is shot in his motorcade and dies of the wounds half an hour later. One of the many viewers of the news is Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), a D.A. for New Orleans. Upon hearing it, he is saddened.. he is a patriot and was an admirer of Kennedy. At first, he starts out by checking an anonymous tip, a strange man named David Ferrie (Joe Pesci) who is later discovered to have a much bigger role in the assassination then appears. After disbelieving Ferrie's alibi of what he was doing in Dallas on the day, he sends him to the FBI who release him without finding anything suspicious. But it is not until three years later when Garrison gets much deeper into the case, noticing some odd and embarrassing things about the Warren Report on the trial involving the case. He takes one of his employees, the trustworthy Lou Ivon, with him on a tour, pointing out odds and ends about Kennedy being shot from the book suppository by the obscure Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman). This starts off Garrison's initial doubts which increase as he investigates more and more into the case. Along with him for the investigation is the short tempered and tough Bill Broussard (Michael Rooker), the informative Suize Cox (Laurie Metcalf) and the hard working Al Oser (Gary Grubbs) and Numa Bertel (Wayne Knight). During his investigation, Garrison meets several strange characters.. a wild homosexual prostitute Willie O' Keefe (Kevin Bacon), the cunning Clay Shaw/ Bertrand (Tommy Lee Jones), a paranoid man named Jack Martin (Jack Lemmon), and a stranger, "X" (Donald Sutherland), who gives Garrison just the right motivation and strength to carry on Also watch out for smaller roles from people such as Ed Asner, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Walter Matthau. Also adding to Garrison's troubles is his skeptical wife, Liz (Sissy Spacek), who just wants him to take care of his family rather than lose himself in a case that happened three years ago. The chemistry between the actors is kinetic and downright superb, Costner's interactions with characters like Ferrie and O' Keefe work out exceptionally, and there are plenty of quotable moments of dialogue to go along with these scenes. Oliver Stone has always been a great director of actors, and this film is no exception. Each actor sinks into their role, especially Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald, he looks incredibly like the man. Joe Pesci is scene stealing as the jumpy and constantly paranoid David Ferrie, and gives a great energetic performance, most notably during a scene between him, Garrison, Ivon, and Broussard in which he gives a sharp and twisted monologue. The performances are also emotional as well, watch Garrison as he gives his case to the jury at the end of the film, his voice gets more and more emotional. These characters aren't just built from the actors though, and the screenplay by Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar deserves heavy mention. Stone isn't just a director, he has numerous screenplay credits to himself as well ('Scarface', 'Evita'), and writing is something he's definitely talented at. Him and Sklar not only provide intense scenes filled with suspense and emotion, but also just gripping dialogue. Whether it be Garrison giving his thoughts on the depth of the case, or X giving valuable support to the investigator, the lines are just right, and the film also manages to be quite quotable. But these two stand out elements aren't the only good things to say about 'JFK'. The film is fantastic to look at. The cinematography by frequent Stone collaborator Robert Richardson ('Casino', 'Kill Bill') is dazzling (not to mention Oscar winning), the intense brightness he constantly uses works out great, as does the periodic flashbacks to black and white. Also very much worthy of mention is the (Oscar winning) editing by Joe Hutshing ('Born on the Fourth of July', 'Broken Arrow') and Pietro Scalia ('Good Will Hunting', 'Black Hawk Down'). The flashbacks are timed perfectly, and each piece fits just right, whether it be showing what Oswald was allegedly doing as Garrison narrates his case or the interactions of Clay Shaw and David Ferrie. The pacing is spot on, while the film has a high running time, it never gets drudging and never loses its energy. One of the best movie composers around, John Williams, gives an emotional and haunting score to the film, and it only adds more power to the scenes. And, it is impossible not to mention the unforgettable direction of Oliver Stone. He's quite possibly the greatest living director, and this film is proof enough. The story of 'JFK' could be told like a History channel documentary, but it is not. Instead, these historical events are made gripping and interesting, all by Stone's eye. He's been called heavy handed before, but without his hard edged punch, the film wouldn't be half as interesting. He directs with intellect yet a genuine passion, balancing out what's needed just right. I take no trouble in saying that 'JFK' is definitely one of the best three directed films ever. But is this tale of Jim Garrison merely entertaining? Most definitely not. It is an eye opener first and foremost, and rouses emotions from the viewer. It is a gripping morality tale.. one of courage and honor, and one of a man who would never give up no matter what the odds, and in the end his struggle proved well worth it. One should not take everything in 'JFK' for granted. While the film definitely uses quite a bit of facts, it still is only one view of the events. Some have said Oliver Stone is trying to shove his opinion down our throats. This isn't true, Stone is throwing out a question, a question that shouldn't have been forgotten, and he is giving his answers. But don't take just his. As Jim Garrison turns and says as he speaks to the camera in one of the most memorable scenes in film history ... Its up to you.