Taking on the Kennedys (1996)

What would it be like to run against one of the most powerful political families in America? Enter the backrooms of American politics as a doctor named Kevin Vigilante takes on the Kennedys... See full summary »

Director:

Joshua Seftel

Writer:

Joshua Seftel

Stars:

Tom Kemp, Patrick Joseph Kennedy II, John Kennedy Jr.

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Tom Kemp	...	Narrator (voice)
Patrick Joseph Kennedy II	...	Self (as Patrick Kennedy)
John Kennedy Jr.	...	Self
Caroline Kennedy	...	Self
Robert F. Kennedy	...	Self (archive footage)
Ted Kennedy	...	Self
Kevin Vigilante	...	Self

Storyline

What would it be like to run against one of the most powerful political families in America? Enter the backrooms of American politics as a doctor named Kevin Vigilante takes on the Kennedys. In his first race for public office, Kevin Vigilante challenges Ted Kennedy's youngest son, Patrick, and gets the political education of a lifetime. Dedicated to running a clean fight, Vigilante soon finds himself in the midst of a mud slinging contest. With negative ads about Vigilante filling the airwaves, and John F. Kennedy Jr. signing autographs outside polling stations, Vigilante realizes he has no chance of winning without slinging mud of his own, and proceeds to take off his gloves. Endemic of contemporary campaign politics, the sound byte takes precedence over the speech as issues are overshadowed by negative television advertisements. Taking on the Kennedys aired as a part of PBS' P.O.V. series.

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Plot Keywords:

politics | television | debate | u.s. congress | rhode island | 

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Taglines:

One Man's Race Against a Political Dynasty

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Genres:

Documentary

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The song played over the opening credits is "Rhode Island is Famous For You", performed by Blossom Dearie.

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Connections

References Rocky (1976)

User Reviews

Meager

"Taking on the Kennedys" is a short 45 minute documentary about the 1994 Rhode Island campaign for Congress which pitted 26 year old Democrat Patrick Kennedy against a 39 year old Republican physician Kevin Vigilante. The film, which has all the ear marks of a one man hand-held minicam shoot with poor quality audio and video, follows Vigilante around as he goes through the usual campaign hand clasping and stumping slowly but surely losing his naiveté as he see his image tarnished, his campaign outspent, and his hopes dashed by his younger opponent who is shoe-horned into the office thanks to his politically savvy and well connected family. A meager DVD offering, there are no surprises in this film about a not very interesting campaign though it may offer some insight into the campaign process for a few. (C)

Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States] Seftel Productions

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1996 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Television Service (ITVS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

52 min

Color:

Color