Stunning Performance and a surprisingly interesting film!

Rating: 8/10 (17 November 2017)

To be honest I wasn't expecting much with this film, especially considering that I didn't bother to go to the cinema and watch it. However this film is surprisingly good, due to a number of key and important parts to it that work on many levels.
The Performances.
Natalie Portman is a fantastic actress, I'm pretty sure we all knew that by now but I don't think or can't remember a film where she embodies a character more than this film. She is utterly fantastic in the film showing a wide range of heavy emotions that are carried throughout the film, in a number of different time periods the film touches on. No wonder that she got awards nominations, I'm actually surprised that she didn't win because this is probably the best performance of her career to date. There are so many great aspects to the performance, starting with the incredible voice that Portman is able to achieve, it is almost exactly the same as Jackie Kennedy. In some way it is quite creepy how good it actually is especially when you then listen to the real Jackie from old videos. As well as the voice its the walk and the attitude changes from before the assassination to the funeral that are so believable. Absolute terrific from start to finish.
It should also be said that the other main actors in the film are good as well, Peter Sarsgaard, Billy Crudup, Greta Gerwig and John Hurt round out the main cast of the film. They are fine additions to the film when sprinkled throughout.
The Story.
Somehow the writers behind the film have made an incredibly interesting, complex and historic story blend seamlessly together in a really neat film. There are four parts to the story of the film that are woven throughout, 1) Reporter interview with Jackie after Assassination 2) The White House Tour documentary 3) 22nd November 1963 4) The Funeral. These four parts are executed very well and show new insights into what happened on the fateful day in 1963 and the personal ramifications after, leading up to the funeral. Each part was given its own time to breath and develop as individual stories, eventually combining together to give a fulfilling narrative of Jackie Kennedy's story throughout this period. Another positive of this type of story telling is the fact it makes the film more interesting and gives and nice flow and change of pace when needed. For example when one part of the story has been going on for a while the film will then break away to a different area, which is refreshing and moves the film along nicely.
The Directing.
Honestly Id never heard of Pablo Larrain before this film but now he is definitely on my radar as a director, this film is brilliantly made from start to finish and the credit has to go to him for his vision for this film. There are a number of key issues that he gets completed right in the film, if not done right they could have been glaring holes personally for me anyway. Firstly he handles the time period and the subject matter with great respect because it is very sensitive and is one of the most important parts of not only the United States history but of the world as well. Larrain doesn't glorify the assassination in anyway which easily could have been done which this film is not about, its about the personally and emotional journey of Jackie Kennedy after the event. Obviously the assassination is shown respectively in the film but very briefly and is actually talked about more by the characters rather than shown which was an interesting idea. Overall he has made an extremely interesting film which is shot beautifully and directing perfectly.
The Score.
What an interesting choice for the score of the film but personally for me it is one of the standouts of the film. It is strangely haunting and sombre at the same time which is a interesting contrast, this is due to the event and the emotional mood of the main character Jackie Kennedy. Its as if the score is an extension of Jackie's emotions and heartbreak throughout the film, and it definitely delivers in that regard.
Overall this film is 85% out of 100 or 8.5 out of 10, I was actually surprised in how much I enjoyed this film, yes its not the most lighthearted film you could watch but its very good from start to finish with barely any flaws. Natalie Portman is fantastic in the role, the woven story threads throughout the film are really good, great directing from Pablo Larrain and lastly the film has good pace and re-watchability factor to it. Yeah I personally think that this is underrated and is one of the best Biopics I've seen in a while.