National obsessions often come out in film, and the problem is that they also become the focus of the plot. Here we have the American love affair with the 50s and 60s, the old cars, the old drugstores, and, yes, the dirty underbelly of that glorious and gloriously hypocritical society. The other obsession, of course is Kennedy's assassination and ultimately, in the movie, it is bound to play a pivotal role. So while watching the movie, one does have the definite feeling of déjà vue all over again, this movie has been made before, but I can't put my finger on it.
And yet, in spite of the clichés, and the jagged timeline, the flashbacking, the bouncing back and forth, the story does emerge slowly but surely, the characters define themselves as the frames move through the machine, and it all becomes quite compelling. The acting also leaves something to be desired, but when it is not stiff, with lines delivered like a sandqich at the deli counter, it becomes quite natural. The "modern" characters are not nearly as good as the 60s characters...
Boylan, I found, was perhaps the most memorable figure, a central figure as well. Because his character leaves us in doubt as to his persona. He is not pure white, he is an eavesdropper, a bit of a control freak, he could go either way for a while. That is perhaps the problem with some of the less savory figures, who are archetypically bad. Having the two *foreign baddies" was not the greatest idea....
Given fewer clichés, a more organized plot, and smoother directing, this could have been a very nice yarn.... Given the budget, though, well done.
