Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

David Burton Morris

Writers (WGA):

Donald Spoto (book)
Eric Overmyer (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

5 November 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

She was the 20th century's First Lady. Now see her for the woman she really was.

Plot Keywords:

Kennedy Family | Based On Book | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Joanne Whalley	...	Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Tim Matheson	...	John F. Kennedy
Tom Skerritt	...	Joseph P. 'Joe' Kennedy
Frances Fisher	...	Janet Lee Bouvier Auchincloss
Andrew McCarthy	...	Robert 'Bobby' Kennedy
Philip Baker Hall	...	Aristotle Onassis
Diane Baker	...	Rose Kennedy
Jerry Adler	...	Maurice Tempelsman
Chuck Shamata	...	Pierre Salinger
Fred Ward	...	John Vernon 'Black Jack' Bouvier III
Bronwen Booth	...	Lee Bouvier
Jennifer Van Dyck	...	Caroline Kennedy (as Jennifer Van Dyke)
Jeffrey Pierce	...	John F. Kennedy Jr.
Jacob Richmond	...	Edward 'Ted' Kennedy
David Francis	...	Hugh D'Auchincloss (as Davis Francis)

Also Known As:

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: A Life (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Poland:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Hot and Cold

All together this bio gives little information outside a typical JFK/Jackie bio. The script is very cliché, as are the stories introduced. I highly doubt that anyone familiar with the Kennedy story will be surprised by any of the content in this movie. Some of the meatier topics that could have been explored were only glossed over, including: Jackie's first pregnancy, JFK's unsuccessful VP nomination, the original courtship of JFK and Jackie, the candidacy of JFK for the presidency. I feel these issues had an especially extreme importance on Jackies life but were downplayed in this film.

I did enjoy the use of aging the appearance of the film for certain scenes to replicate, it was very sweet. I also liked the emphasis on Jackies relationship with RFK, portrayed by Andrew McCarthy v. well. The chemistry between Whalley and Matheson peaked in the scenes from Jack's back surgery to Jackie taking Jack back after the stillborn birth.

I was surprised that the film did not delve further into Jackie's family's financial hardships, most notably the fact that Hughie began running out of money early on and Joe ended up paying for the wedding. The aspect of money was very important and surprisingly missing.

Overall, I think Whalley did a mediocre job as Jackie. Like another poster I agree that she seemed rather regal and above everyone else even if scenes with her own family. Obivously Jackie was stunning and outstanding, but the tone and language used by Whalley made her stand out not in a way I think she intended. Matheson's portrayal of JFK was decent, I've seen worse and I've seen better (Martin Sheen in Kennedy). Together the two seemed very old in appearance for a couple that has been considered two of the youngest most beautiful people to affect politics. McCarthy as RFK was the strongest performance and left me to wonder if the quality of the film might have been better with him in the JFK role. Other notably supporting roles were by Skerritt as Joe Kennedy, Frances Fisher as Janet was pretty strong (but then again, compare it to her role as the b*tchy mom on Titanic and I see little difference), and Ward as Black Jack. Roles I feel could have been portrayed more strongly were Booth as sister Lee, and Hough a Cassini - these relationships were v. imp. to Jackie!

If you are looking for a movie to pass the time, this movie is right for you. If you are looking for a movie to delve into the depths of the Kennedy and most notably Jackie's life I suggest a book (All to Human by Edward Klein)