Pablo Larraín and Nathalie Portman make Jackie emotional, complex and real

Rating: 9/10 (7 April 2017)

Jackalie portmanteau could be used to describe the results of the tremendous skill Portman put into portraying the iconic Jackie Kennedy. Director Pablo Larraín takes a strong script which focuses on a compelling and complex individual faced with a drama-intense week at the highest level of personal, family and state/world turmoil and makes it visceral with his vision. Portman is pitch perfect and although La La Land is probably my favourite movie of the decade, I am not certain I can say Stone deserved the Best Actress award more than this nuanced controlled breakdown and bravery in face of adversity acting tour de force.
Inventive and risky editing (Sebastián Sepúlveda)and music (Mica Lei) are other key elements to tell this story emotionally and immerse the viewer in the near meltdown. The supporting cast shines on occasion even though Nathalie casts shadows on everyone with her brilliant role. Acting legend John Hurt delivers some soothing and straightforward philosophy as the priest who gets to hear Jackie's deepest fears and secrets - while we see some of the best cinematography from Stéphane Fontaine who has many other great visual pleasers and shockers in this and did marvels in French productions A Prophet (2009), Rust and Bones (2012) and Elle (2016). This will be one of his last role before his death at age 77 two months ago. Peter Sarsgaard who shined in The Experimenter (2015) gives a few good counterpoints and delivers some well-written lines as Bobby concerning his brother's possible legacy.
Watch Bobby (2006) for the rest of the Kennedy story five years later. A completely different but equally captivating multi-layer narrative by Emilio Estevez.