Interesting look at an iconic figure but passable

Rating: Null/10 (21 March 2017)

I have been a fan and intrigued by the Kennedy family for years. It is a dynasty full of great personalities that many people admire. So when Jackie was advertised I was eager to watch it and interested to see how Portman would pull it off.
Jackie is a film where certain elements or parts are better on their own then the film as a whole. The filming techniques and soundtrack stand apart as being extremely well done. Director Pablo Larrain wonderfully merges some scenes with archival footage such as the motorcade and Jackie shown staring at the actual crowds from the car. The music was powerful and matched the seriousness and drama that was shown. Perhaps the biggest flaw is Jackie herself played by Natalie Portman. She was not convincing in her portrayal and sadly failed to rise to the occasion. Her performance was safe at best where she looked the part and emulated Jackie but she was never Jackie. The audience was alienated from her throughout the film especially when we were supposed to relate to it. At the time of the assassination the world related to her and felt great respect for the real Jackie via a television or radio. Yet we find it hard to connect with Jackie from a more personal and private viewpoint. Even the scene where she changes her dress and listened to Camelot acted to show a childish and immature side to her. I am unsure whether this actually happened. Pablo also goes for moments or stills where he focuses on a shocked Jackie but the problem here is that the film hasn't built up towards those scenes and Portman hasn't won us over so these moments fall flat. Perhaps the film would have benefited if it cast somebody else, a great performance would have made this a great film perhaps in the same league as the Kings Speech and Oscar worthy.
I do not agree with the other critics who pointed out her one sided outlook during the film and how her loss and feelings were heightened compared to those around her. Might I remind viewers that this is Jackie's story and the film is centred around her and not the Kennedy family. In fact it makes it clear at the start because the story is told by Jackie to a Journalist about her account. If the acting was up to scratch you would have connected with Jackie rather than see a grown up throw a tantrum. Peter Sarsgaard was unimpressive and badly cast as Robert Kennedy. He looked nothing like him, sounded nothing like him, looked older than JFK his older brother and was even taller than JFK. In real life JFK was older, broader and taller than his brother.
Jackie mainly looks at a certain period in Jackie Kennedy's life, the aftermath of JFK's assassination and funeral. It has parallels to Spielberg's Lincoln released a few years ago that also looks at a certain part of his life. Based on the title one could easily assume it was about her life or parts of her life however if done right it could be impressive. 13 days is an example of a great film about a small period in the Kennedy's lives.
Overall Jackie is a passable film. For all the criticism of Portman she has done a safe job and is passable as Jackie. We have to acknowledge that she had very big shoes to fill. Don't be in such a rush to watch this one in theatres or even video, it can act as a good pastime one day.