Byzantine docudrama

Rating: 6/10 (8 December 2002)

Oliver Stone's ambitious, flawed, yet endlessly interesting drama which recounts New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison's obsession with finding the truth behind the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Intriguing sub-plots and theories abound, although the all-star cast tends to distract from the narrative. Kevin Costner stands tall and in-command as Garrison, Sissy Spacek tries hard with underwritten role as his wife. Other performances range from strong (Walter Matthau) to weak (Jack Lemmon), but how ballsy to put Matthau and Lemmon in a movie together and yet keep them apart! **1/2 from ****