Riveting and chilling

Rating: 10/10 (21 February 2000)

Oliver Stone's JFK is certainly not a film that should be taken as literal truth. It bends the truth in places in order for Stone to present his alternate history. But as cinema, there are few films that are this stunning. This is a genuine masterpiece - incredibly acted, directed, photographed, and written. And most importantly of all, Stone captures that period of time so well. He captures Dallas in all its corrupt mid-60s glory. He captures the atmosphere of criminal-ridden New Orleans. He captures the urgency of the 60s, and the craziness that era produced. But what he does best is present a film that is at once a fascinating mystery and a terrifying "what-if" tale. I would even go so far as to say that this is the pinnacle achievement in modern "noir" films - featuring a dogged investigator, his harried staff, and a group of shadowy criminals. Like I said, this film is not history. Jim Garrison in this film is nothing like he was in real life. But the film itself is a absolute masterpiece.