Classy and elegant, like its iconic subject

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2017)

Part of the appeal of watching a biopic about a famous figure is the opportunity to see behind the veneer and into the real life and psychology of that person, and what could be more intriguing than an intimate look into the life of one of the original modern American icons, Jacqueline Kennedy? Director Pablo Larrain and writer Noah Oppenheim's portrait of the First Lady in the immediate aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination presents a rare opportunity to experience a woman known for her grace, beauty and dignity in her most traumatic moment.
"Jackie" approaches this almost mythic figure in a way that keeps her legend intact Larrain's films exudes artistry and Oppenheim's script paints Jackie as a fierce, dynamic force of a woman, almost to the point that you could be certain there's another layer hidden behind Natalie Portman's stunning portrayal. To some extent "Jackie" is frustrating in how clean and crisp it is that it doesn't reach a deeply penetrating level of intimacy, but it's an absolutely striking production in every facet.
The film portrays events as recalled by Jackie to a reporter (Billy Crudup), an imagining of the interview that led to the famous "LIFE" magazine piece in which Jackie recalled JFK's love of the musical "Camelot" and used it as a metaphor for his presidency. These scenes present Jackie as rather cold and methodical, but the more scenes we see of the hours and days following the assignation enlighten us to the roots of her disposition.
Obviously everything is tied together by Portman's performance. No other actor possesses the intangibles required to become Jackie Kennedy, and it helps that Portman also has the chops to craft a compelling portrayal. Jackie's distinctive way of speaking seems unnatural off Portman's lips, but it's a spot-on impression and the voice doesn't throw the film off balance. She's as fascinating to watch as Jackie was.
The film captures Jackie as whip-smart, devoted to history and preoccupied with her husband's legacy and that of his presidency. Throughout the course of the movie, however, she's a woman in mourning, and it's debatable whether her behavior can be attributed to how she's processing this loss or who she truly was. Nevertheless, Oppenheim's script brings her toughness to the forefront; she always seems to have the clever, pithy, thought- provoking thing to say. He definitely mythologizes her a bit too much with the dialogue, but in doing so he keeps the conversation as stimulating as the costumes and scenery.
Larrain's devotion to costume and setting, in combination with a camera that isn't afraid of cutting all of it out to get a striking close- up, gives the film its elegance yet keeps it from becoming too refined of a depiction. The costumes, the White House décor, the scenes interspersed throughout the film that recreate Kennedy's famous TV tour of the White House create an overwhelming tone of classiness, both echoed and yet torn apart by Mica Levi's moody, strings-heavy score. "Jackie" possesses a strong and confident artistic vision with a strong performance as its centerpiece, and that alone makes it a very good film.
Something about "Jackie" still feels distant and untouchable, however, which prevents it from growing anywhere beyond the realm of a great artistic success. Moments that could connect on a more emotional level (Jackie dealing with her children John Jr. and Caroline, for example) don't, as if all the behind the scenes moments of the film are also being beautifully staged for us as opposed to feeling messy and vulnerable. We do get some raw, personal moments with Jackie, but her shoes are difficult to walk in – once a legend, always a legend.
~Steven C
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