Killing Kennedy

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.

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.

For those unfamiliar with that fateful day, this ridiculous Brothers Grimm fable does nothing but provide an outlet for those wishing to waste 2 hours. O'Reilly the so-called historian did nothing with his ' Killing Kennedy ' book turned into film except brutally murder the truth by parroting the completely discredited Warren Commission lie. Remember Bill O the one time Inside Edition reporter at large? The same guy who said he was present in Florida the moment Oswald confidant and probable CIA handler George De Morherenschilt committed suicide only to later discover the following day in was in a taped telephone conversation with the late and reputable JFK assassination researcher Gaton Fonzi asking what had happened to old George? In the JFK case alone, O'Reilly has about as much credibility for honesty as Bill or Hillary Clinton testifying under oath. Just as one example of the numerous preposterous scenes on full display, we have non-convicted assassin LHO STANDING while demonstrating his yet to be duplicated marksman proficiency gunning down JFK and wounding the Governor. Too bad the TBD 6th floor SE window at the time was only open 14 inches which meant that not only was LHO a superb marksman, he also managed to fire through a glass window three times without shattering it or leaving any trace of bullet holes. This pathetic vomit inspiring film was steered toward those completely clueless of the entire case or those clinging lone-nutter syncopates who are blind to reality of what really happened. This doesn't even take into account the illegal theft of JFK's remains from Parkland hospital later spirited away on AF-1 to its eventually place in Bethesda where the most inept, illegal and fraudulent so-called autopsy in history occurred. There isn't enough time or space available to address this case on this board. But suffice it to say that all the moronic film accomplished was nothing more that typical O'Reilly, Hanks, Posner, and Bugliosi lies to continue the dishonesty in certain halls of the US government and their lemmings in the media.

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.

I enjoyed the film, mainly for 2 brilliant portrayals - Rob Lowe as JFK and Will Rothhaar as LHO. Otherwise,no more than an attempt to bolster up the Warren Commission and its supporters by treating the "findings" as undisputed fact. No way!! The trouble is, after 50 years, people are more and more likely to accept the party line and the murder of a great man will be put down to a disaffected nobody and Truth and Justice will continue to suffer. For example, an acquaintance of mine (English), aged 50, recently told me he understood JFK had been assassinated at his inauguration! With films like this, soon no-one will know or care about this awful crime. And the perpetrators will continue to get away with murder.