Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot

This film is not as bad as the previous review states. It is very interesting. Jill H. does a great job of letting the audience in on the fact that Jackie O's voice changed from breathy to normal depending on her surroundings. She was shy and egar to please so it showed up in her voice. The other actors did very well in showing the complexity of the real life people they were playing.

It is like a soap opera but so was the lives of the Kennedy's. They have endured assassinations, sexual scandals, failed marriages, loss of children and loved ones, and power, wealth, success. That sounds like a soap to me. Like anything though, if you want to get a real perspective on what it was like among the Kennedy women read the book this movie is based on. I read it before I saw the film and it was a little annoying to see how they tweaked some of the incidents. For example the beginning where Ethel pretends to not want to kiss Jackie on the cheek after Jack wins the election. In the book she is very cold to Jackie. Its a very awkward moment in front of the entire family.

READ THE BOOK

I now own this video along with JFK and A woman named Jackie. I find these stories very interesting and this one was just as exceptional. I do agree with another viewer that the actress portraying Marilyn Monroe could have done a better job (the one in A Woman Named Jackie was great) the rest of the performances were Fantastic!

This film probably should have been called the gossip and affairs of the kennedy men, and how the wives stood by them. Lots of actual historic milestones here and there, but much more time spent on the seedy underbelly of the times. Marilyn monroe, the assassinations of two kennedys in the 1960s. Ted's chappaquiddick "incident". Amusing to hear jack kennedy talking about "cuber"... referencing the bay of pigs fiasco. A few actual, but more awful, fake new england accents come and go. I grew up in massachusetts, so I had known about every one of these stories, good and bad. But I guess the newer generations, as well as people from other parts of the united states may not have known some of these details. The kennedy family certainly had more than its share of success, early deaths, and tragedies over the years. Directed by larry shaw, probably best known for desperate housewives.

There have been a few Jackie centered TV movies so it's interesting to see something about Joan and Ethel. The subject matter is of course fascinating and the scenes are interesting to watch. Especially how they all react to personal tragedies.

The casting of the three famous sisters in law is interesting. Firstly Jill Hennessy as Jackie. Her face actually bears some resemblance to Jackie so when she is made up she does look like her. But her voice is a bit too low and forceful for Jackie who had a "Babykins" voice. Lauren Holly as Ethel gives a forceful crass personality to Ethel. She is way too pretty and svelte. Leslie Stefanson is a good fit for Joan. Joan has a more regular face than the other 2 so she was an easier actress to match physically.

Not bad.

I can't recall having ever given any film, mini-series or TV series a '1' out of 10 before... and sadly I can't here. There is just barely enough good here to warrant a '4'. However, if ever any production deserved it, this one probably does. The casting is, for the most part, abominable. The acting is generally stiff and unsure. The attempts at accents are atrocious and laughable. The portrayal of Marilyn Monroe is bizarrely comic at best and insulting to both Monroe and the audience at worst.

Jill Hennessy does have a few solid moments as Jackie, but not nearly enough to carry this painfully disjointed soap opera. Lauren Holly's Ethel would be more believable in a trailer park than Washington and Hyannisport. Leslie Stefanson's Joan is interesting and is easily the best of the three women's portrayals.

The portrayal's of the Kennedy men are all weak and unconvincing. The only plus with the Kennedy men is that they are not on screen very often.

Historically, it runs wild with rumor, innuendo, supposition and ignores many facts as they have been recorded by serious and knowledgeable historians. Sadly what could have been a tastefully done classic instead just reeks of the two-bit paperback hacks who wrote this tripe.

I will say that the 2nd half of this mini-series is distinctly better than the first half. Unfortunately, by the time the 2nd half rolls around, it's way too late to save it overall.

Another issue it has that seriously detracts from it coming across as a quality production is a very strong sense of being constantly 'rushed'. It literally speeds from one tragedy to another with no opportunity for the viewer to take in any real sense of sorrow. Oddly enough, despite my feeling that this isn't a very good production as it is, I think it would have probably benefit from an additional 90 minutes. This would have allowed the viewer a real chance to get to know and empathize with the characters.

One exceptional line does rise above all others in this otherwise dismal program and it is delivered by Charmion King (as Rose Kennedy): "Great men have great flaws. It takes great women to accept them." This is as close as this film ever comes to being anything close to great.

For those who want a strong, clear sense of some of this subject matter with first rate acting, writing and true 'Camelot' style, watch 'Kennedy', the 1983 production with Martin Sheen and Blair Brown. Sheen is very strong as Kennedy and Blair Brown is nothing short of brilliant as Jackie. The supporting cast is exceptional. The only serious weakness of that production is Vincent Gardenia's over the top portrayal of J Edgar Hoover. This is now available on DVD.

In closing, all I can say is that with this much incredible material how could those involved have made... this?