Killing Kennedy

Greetings again from the darkness. The premiere of this National Geographic channel production was held for a group of national writers and, thanks to the Dallas Film Society, we were able to be there for the very first theatrical screening – the first even for the writer and director, who were also in attendance. The event was held at the historic Texas Theatre, which of course, is where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured on that fateful November day in 1963.

Kelly Masterson (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) wrote the screenplay for this movie based on the book co-written by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, who also co-wrote "Killing Lincoln". It should be noted that neither the books nor their corresponding movies provide any new information, and actually stick very close to the traditionally accepted chain of events (in Kennedy's case that's The Warren Report). These works aren't meant to add fuel to the conspiracy theory fires, but rather to allow for straight-forward re-telling and visualization for those too young to have the images from 50 years ago etched into their memories.

This version in particular focuses on a 3-4 year period leading up to the assassination, and the parallels of Lee Harvey and Marina Oswald, and John and Jacqueline Kennedy. We witness the (fictionalized) account of Oswald renouncing his US citizenship and spending time in Russia where he meets Marina. Their return to the US focuses on his continued work at spreading the gospel of communism, especially supporting Casto's Cuba. We see a bit more of Oswald as a family man than what we are accustomed to, but we are never far from his Marine-gone-bad image … and there is certainly an emphasis on making the point that Oswald was an expert marksman (though the point is often debated) despite his alleged failed attempt on the life of Army General Edwin Walker.

On the other hand, the Kennedy's are portrayed as a loving couple, though JFK's flings are not ignored. Here, Jacqueline is the devoted and extremely supportive wife of a man somewhat insecure in his new level of power. Their love for each other is driven home with numerous (actually too many) lines of dialogue that basically say "the one thing I couldn't bear is losing you". The behind-the-scenes glimpses include JFK listening to the "Camelot" soundtrack, his back pain and subsequent injections, and the numerous cracks and concerns from all involved about traveling to Dallas, a city viewed as politically volatile and dangerous.

The now very famous footage of Oswald's final trek is expertly recreated mostly from the view point of Jack Ruby, though not much insight to Ruby is provided. Here he's merely a justice seeking citizen who is frustrated that his beloved President was shot. Of course many other theories abound, as with most every aspect of the event. There is a very vivid re-enactment of the Oswald/Officer JD Tippit confrontation, and the Texas Theatre capture seems pretty authentic. We get very little attention on the FBI, CIA or Secret Service, and we are presented with the stark contrast in the funerals of Oswald and Kennedy. Minimal actual footage of Kennedy or Oswald is used until the very end of the movie, which allows the viewer to remain in "fiction" mode … much of what we see is speculation from the lives of these two families.

Rob Lowe and Ginner Goodwin are effective as Jack and Jacqueline, and a hefty Casey Siemaszko has the look of Jack Ruby. Michelle Trachtenberg may be a bit too pretty for Marina, but her demeanor is as imagined. Natalie Gold gets a few scenes as Ruth Paine, a piece of the puzzle often ignored in the story. The best and most affecting performance here is that of Will Rothhaar as Oswald. He balances the passion for the cause with the mental instability, and we never view him a monster – just a misguided, desperate man. Director Nelson McCormick (mostly TV work) never really judges these characters, and in the process leaves it to us to answer the real question on Oswald … patsy or no patsy?

**NOTE: See this on the National Georgraphic Channel, airing November 10.

Will Rothhaar's portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald carries "Killing Kennedy." At two hours, with the last 35 minutes completely dominated by commercial breaks, there is simply not enough time to provide any depth or layering to JFK's side of the story. Rob Lowe does a fine impersonation of Kennedy, but ultimately he is the star of a flip book about the highlights of JFK's presidency. Oswald's ideology and personality disorders were the dominant themes of the last years of his life, more so than the outward trappings. Oswald's life was complex, too, yet the script of "Killing Kennedy" gives Rothhaar far more room to move, and this he uses to build a portrayal of a sociopath driven by paranoia, unfocused anger, misperception and arrogance.

Despite the thousands of forests that have fallen so that books might be printed about the assassination, Oswald remains an enigma to many people. Rothhaar's portrayal of Oswald ably depicts his fundamental inability to accurately assess people, organizations and situations, which left him perpetually confused, frustrated and angry. The peculiar, menacing aspects of his personality made him an abusive husband, made friendships impossible, and insured that he would be fired after only a few weeks from yet another menial job.

"Killing Kennedy" makes the case for Oswald as the lone gunman, as do Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard in their self-same titled book on which the movie is based. Whether or not you subscribe to their version of events, their portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald as political assassin is convincing. Undeterred by his failures and dismissive of his repeated rejections, Oswald maintained the fiction that he was a revolutionary, an insurgent in movements he believed he saw happening before everyone else. There is "misguided," then there is "delusional." The former can evoke some sympathy. The latter, never.

Sociopaths have delusions of grandeur, and a notion that they are better than the groups that reject them. Lee Harvey Oswald had both, and no reason for either.

This is a low-budget production starring Rob Lowe, who does a good job as JFK. The story focuses on Lee Harvey Oswald, his political leanings, and his activities prior to the assassination.

I doubt the factual accuracy of some of this. Don't tell me Jack Ruby broke down over poor Jackie now that her husband was dead. And I still think Ruby killing Oswald was something authorities let happen. He was being moved to another prison and instead of having a vehicle by the door, he was walked slowly through the garage. Then, surrounded by all these people, Jack Ruby shoots him. Also, the film shows Mrs. Kennedy all by herself sitting outside the room where doctors were working on her husband. I don't think so.

Rob Lowe was a standout. I also liked Michelle Trachtenberg as Marina Oswald. Will Rothhaar as Oswald was too good-looking, and Ginnifer Goodwin lacked the sophistication required for Jackie. Also I think her relationship with her husband was somewhat misrepresented, given what we know now.

Although purportedly this film is based on Bill O'Reilly's book of the same title, Killing Kennedy might well have been based on the Warren Commission Report.

If offers tantalizing hints and glimpses at those put forth by conspiracy theorists of all kinds, the Mafia, the Communists, the ultra right wing, but no one who accepts the Warren Commission will not have any problem with this film.

That being said this is a dual story of a winner and a loser. John F. Kennedy by virtue of his birth into a rich and powerful family was destined for greatness. But as Rob Lowe as JFK ruefully remarked this was supposed to be for his older brother Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. who was killed in World War II.

The loser was ne'er do well Lee Harvey Oswald played by Will Rothbaar who became a Marxist/Leninist because he couldn't hold down a job. He went to Russia and found the Soviet Union not quite what he imagined it to be. Few did who made the journey. He did bring home a Russian wife whom he abused.

No need to go into a plot here. I think most literate people know the bare facts of the crime of the last century. Rob Lowe does well as JFK, Jack Noseworthy is in complete simpatico with Lowe playing Robert Kennedy and Ginnifer Goodwin is a believable and credible Jackie Kennedy.

This version will not however create the controversy that Executive Action or JFK did. It certainly breaks no new ground.

his performance is the best part of film. and, maybe, the only motif to see it. because it is a conventional film, using only well known facts, but in not inspired manner. a film who remains prisoner of clichés and superficiality. the bad thing is not exactly the easy manner to present Warrner report but the desire to impress, without the right tools. because the parallel Kennedy - Oswald is not convincing. because the ambition to give a docudrama falls in a strange state of confusion. so, a try. maybe, not so nice.