Riveting reality, tragic event

Rating: 9/10 (26 August 2007)

One must envy Oliver Stone, who was able here to work with probably the best non-fictional material ever to come to the screen. In the shocking assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he has a riveting subject.
Stone's direction is powerful, as he tells the story of District Attorney Jim Garrison's pursuit of the truth. The ensemble cast, which includes Kevin Costner, Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci, Donald Sutherland, John Candy, Walter Matthau, Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Bob Hoskins, Jack Lemmon and Jim Garrison himself, portray the participants very convincingly. Cinematography is superb, as is John Williams' score.
I did find "J.F.K." a little long, and I had to force myself to concentrate. However, contrary to popular opinion, I found the film got better and more intriguing toward the end, with the unnecessary parts being more toward the beginning. All in all though, a very powerful, riveting and eye-opening movie.
Why was John Fitzgerald Kennedy assassinated, and who benefited?
Tuesday, February 11, 1992 - Knox District Centre
Even though Oliver Stone's epic takes some staying power, it is a fascinating look at the controversial assassination of President Kennedy. All the performances are very good, especially Joe Pesci and Kevin Bacon, and Kevin Costner makes a convincing 'Garrison'.
The hardest cynic would most likely have trouble walking away from this film unconvinced, as it is quite one-sided. On the whole though it is an eye-opening and even spine chilling film which has been brought to the screen very professionally.
Saturday, September 5, 1992 -Video