John F Kennedy has been assassinated on the streets of Dallas and Lee Harvey Oswald appears to be the lone shooter. However, subsequent events and evidence suggest otherwise to New Orleans District Attorney, Jim Garrison, who risks his life and career to challenge the official government version of events. Based on real people and events, this is a gripping rollercoaster of a thriller where one man and his team try and get to the truth of the mother of all conspiracy riddles – who shot JFK?
The film editing rightly won an Oscar as the director simultaneously spins multiple plot lines and flashbacks; you do need to concentrate. Conspiracy theories are never simple. Without giving too much away, JFK uses elements from one main currently held conspiracy theory as to who ordered the killing of Kennedy. This is Kevin Costner at his 1990s best. Indeed, it would be easier to list the great actors who do not appear in this film than those who do. Surnames will suffice. Apart from Costner, Oldman and Lemmon, there are Sutherland, Lee Jones, Matthau, Asner, Spacek, Pesci and Candy. Each fully inhabits their character; some menacing, others just a bit weird. Only plan to watch this in one go. Hang a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign outside your door and settle down for an engrossing encounter. Do you have the same trust in Western governments by the end of your watch?
Oliver Stone has always been a courageous director and has never shied away from shining a light where he believes there to be political darkness or economic corruption, particularly in the direction of the US government. Others of his films in this period include Salvador (1986), Platoon (1986), Wall Street (1987), Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Nixon (1995). I suspect that Stone is not fully convinced himself of the total factual accuracy of JFK but we salute him for challenging us to keep our eyes on those who rule.
Certificate: 15
3 hours 9 min (varies)
Netflix / Prime / Youtube
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Jack Lemmon
