"I didn't want fame. I just became a Kennedy"

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2016)

"Jackie" (2016 release; 100 min.) is a movie about Jackie Kennedy. As the movie opens, we are told this is "Hyannus Port, MA, 1963", and in fact it's one week after JFK's assassination. Jackie is hosting a report of Life Magazine to talk about her life as the First Lady and what things may be in store for her going forward. From there the movie looks in a non-linear line at various events, not just surrounding the assassination and the subsequent funeral, but also at Jackie's time in the White House (such as when she hosted a TV special in 1961).
Couple of comments: this movie is the latest from Chilean director Pablo Larraín, previously best known for the Oscar-nominated movie "No" a few years ago. Here he tackles the delicate task as a non-America to being us a look at an American icon, and I do mean Jackie Kennedy. As she plans for the elaborate procession and funeral, who is she really doing it for: Jack's legacy? the public at large? herself? When pressed by the reporter, Jackie simply answers "I didn't want fame. I just became a Kennedy", wow. The movie is shouldered by the brilliant performance of Natalie Portman, who is in virtually every scene. I found myself pretty much mesmerized by this film, and the outstanding soundtrack, courtesy of UK composer Mika Levi (a/k/a/ Mikachu), only contributed to that feeling. Greta Gerwig is barely recognizable as Jackie's aide Nancy. Peter Sarsgaard plays Bobby Kennedy very effectively. Also kudos to John Hurt as Jackie's priest. The movie's script comes from Noah Oppenheim ("Maze Runner"), and it seems to me he captured the essence of Jackie's delicate personality in the days following the assassination. Portman is already whispered as being the front runner for the Best Actress Oscar, and it certainly wouldn't be stolen if she wins for this.
Jackie has been slowly but steadily getting a wider release, It is now playing on 3 screens for all of Greater Cincinnati. The Sunday early evening screening where I saw this at on Christmas Day was attended nicely but frankly I had expected a sell-out or something close to it, which it surely wasn't. I've seen quite a few JFK assassination-related movies over the years (including 2013's "Parkland"), and I can honestly say that "Jackie" is truly a new experience of what happened in those days. If you have a chance to catch "Jackie", be it in the theater, or on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, do not miss it. "Jackie" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!