Riveting and Haunting

Rating: 10/10 (25 January 2017)

Imagine your husband is the President of the United States and you, as the First Lady, are with your husband in the Presidential Motorcade headed to make a speech. You're having a day just like all the others. You're happy, your husband is happy and the day seems like it couldn't get better. Then it doesn't. Out of nowhere a shot rings out.The man you love and respect is doubled over, holding his throat, puzzled, unsure what just happened. Then another shot slices through the sounds of terrified crowd. Your husband is now in pieces. You're holding him in your lap just trying to keep his blood and brains inside his shattered skull. What would you do? What could you do?
Jackie stars Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy as she tries to put the pieces of her life back together after her husband's assassination.The film opens with a journalist (Billy Crudup) who comes to the residential home of Jackie Kennedy in order to get insight into the lives of the Kennedys. Jackie is still in grief, unsure of what to do with her life or even if her life is worth living. During her interview, she does in fact give insight but she also finds herself questioning her faith and her loyalty. The film proceeds beyond the interview to show Jackie's rise from the ashes and what she went through in order to revitalize her life.
The film was haunting, deeply emotional, and riveting. It didn't hold back and was completely honest and real. Natalie Portman gave a terrific performance, even perfectly nailing Mrs Kennedy's particular speech pattern and accent. Everyone else did an excellent job as well but they were all shadowed by Portman's brilliant take.
In conclusion, I have nothing but praise for the film. There were times when I teared up and times when I got goosebumps. It was astounding and heartbreaking. I give it 4 out of 4 stars.