Affectation - NOT Acting

Rating: 4/10 (23 January 2017)

I should say at the outset that I have enjoyed virtually everything Natalie Portman has done up until this role, but her portrayal as Jackie Kennedy is without soul. The hair, makeup and clothes are perfect, but her breathless attempt to sound like Jackie fails a) because it is so affected and b) because the audience is so distracted by the 'performance' that we are unable to relate to the woman. Not sure who to blame here; but the fault must rest with Portman and the Director for squandering such a long overdue subject for the screen - Too bad. Naturally, an actress as talented as Ms. Portman will have some fine moments here and there, but if you are truly interested in understanding the former first lady, you would be better served watching documentary footage. She was a uniquely humble and graceful person who found herself at one of America's most tumultuous times. It is sad that this production fell into the trap of vanity and lost the grace.