JFK

Initially, I debated leaving this film off this list because of the contentious subject matter. I thought about that for approximately one second. As a case for the clear cut, definitive, truthful history of the assassination of JFK, the film is dubious. As a film, it is fantastic. There has never been, nor will there ever be an objective film, series or documentary about the circumstances assassination of JFK because everyone who has ever lived since 1963 holds their own beliefs about what happened on that day in Dallas. No official inquiry, report, commission or proclamation that has been or will ever be produced will ever be taken seriously as the absolute truthful story on what happened. JFK, the man, was built up to stand on such a high pedestal and his shooting shocked so many people to the core that the truth has been lost in a sea of voices – voices, who don’t want to believe that their king is dead, make up their own truth to sooth themselves.

No film review or opinion of JFK should even come close to defend, persecute or examine the facts surrounding the assassination of JFK. The film should be reviewed based on the quality of the filmmaking. On that level, this is a great film. It has what every other great film has – a great story.

JFK was a conspiracy theorist’s dream. It becomes impossible not to be drawn into the film’s long and complicated ending. This is not only because of the heightened drama of the event itself, but of Oliver Stone’s way of telling the story. I’m not a huge fan of Kevin Costner, but I think he did a great job in this film and deserved to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. Great compositions. Oliver Stone’s painstaking re-enactments of grand events and even of the minutest details deserve to be applauded. Even his ability to open up this controversial event and ask Americans to think and rethink deserves to be applauded.

My take on the events that happened in Dallas: how could a man who was only allegedly shot in the head from behind have his head whiplash back if he wasn’t also shot from in front? It is physiologically impossible. Oh well…

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