JACKIE
Written by: Noah Oppenheim
Directed by: Pablo Larrain
Starring: Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, and Billy Crudup
Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy 
Onassis has been quoted as saying, “I want to live my life, not record it,” but that isn’t what the public wants as is evidenced by the latest film “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman as the most admired yet reclusive First Lady. The film takes us back to that fateful day in Dallas, Texas, with President John F. Kennedy and Jackie, wearing her classically styled pink dress, cropped jacket, and pill box hat, covered in blood as she held her husband’s lifeless body in the back of the motorcade car. What happened behind the scenes and in the mind and life of Jackie during that traumatic day and the days that followed is recreated in the biopic film, “Jackie.” This intimate portrayal from a unique perspective gives viewers a new sense of this extraordinary woman .
We meet Jackie soon after her husband’s funeral as she begrudgingly talks with a journalist to document her life as First Lady and what she plans to do next. Her cold and controlling behavior, while understandable, is contrary to the image held by most Americans of this charismatic, charming and influential woman. She’s condescending in many instances and argumentative,but in the same breath lets down her guard and, in great detail, explains her most intimate feelings about life…and death. As she recounts the sounds of the gunshots, the trip to the morgue, the flight back to Washington, and the planning of the funeral, we are transported back in time to witness the events from her viewpoint. The film ingeniously weaves together film footage from the early ’60’s but it is Portman we see, not the First Lady.
Portman, while masterfully mimicking Jackie’s mannerisms and speech, is never quite convincing. Ironically, there’s a certain Marilyn Monroe-ish breathiness to her voice and a relative lack of visual emotion portrayed. Perhaps this tone is actually quelled anger, we hear it in her voice, ready to surface, but there seems to be little variation. Is this how the real Jackie actually was or is this just one actor and director’s portrayal?
The story is the main character and that is truly insightful. The depth of information that we learn about this important family creates a new version of comprehension. We are allowed behind those closed doors and are privy to the why’s of all that happened. Jackie’s decisions regarding the funeral are eye-opening as she interacts with her brother-in-law, Bobby (Peter Sarsgaard), and military personnel to take care of the details of the funeral. We do find not only empathy for Jackie, but keen insight into her reactions. She’s smart and she will not be bullied. She stands up for what is right in her mind and her strength and determination allow her to forge ahead. It is a much more powerful and intelligent portrayal of this refined and elegant woman.
Billy Crudup gives an extraordinary performance as the Journalist who attempts to use humor and sympathy to engage Jackie, but her hardened exterior doesn’t melt. She wants to share and does, but she must and does retain the ultimate control. Crudup’s nuanced performance is stellar as we see his frustration grow yet maintaining composure. Gerwig actually dials back her typical quirky persona and creates a believable assistant and best friend to Jackie. And Caspar Phillipson gives us a spot-on re-creation of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
The element that truly brings this film to life, spectacularly augmenting the script and performances is the melding of old footage and re-creating new footage to feel old. We watch news clips and programming of Jackie giving the White House Tour and somehow we are seeing the Portman version that feels absolutely real. The skillful and detailed creation, bringing us back in time, is the icing on the cake.
“Jackie” is a polished piece of history, shedding light upon a topic to give us a greater understanding of one of the most respected presidents in the U.S. and the First Lady. It’s enlightening and insightful and with unusually creative filming, we are brought back in time to experience Jackie’s life and perspective first-hand.
3 1/2 Stars out of 4 (8 Reels out of 10)