Oliver Stone's fine fictional account of John F Kennedy's assassination dodges the truth like a magic bullet
Director: Oliver Stone
Entertainment grade: B
History grade: Fail
On 22 November 1963, American president John F Kennedy was shot and killed as he drove through Dallas, Texas. The Warren Commission, charged with investigating the assassination, concluded that he was murdered by Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone.
Truth
The film opens with a documentary montage, presenting Kennedy (very questionably) as a radical progressive who upset the establishment and therefore found himself on the road to assassination. This is mixed in with recreated fictional footage, and segues into the movie itself without distinction – making a discreet but definite claim for documentary-level accuracy. Our hero is New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison – who, in another subtle bid for trustworthiness, is played by 1991's biggest mainstream Hollywood star, Kevin Costner. There's no doubt about it: Oliver Stone...
Director: Oliver Stone
Entertainment grade: B
History grade: Fail
On 22 November 1963, American president John F Kennedy was shot and killed as he drove through Dallas, Texas. The Warren Commission, charged with investigating the assassination, concluded that he was murdered by Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone.
Truth
The film opens with a documentary montage, presenting Kennedy (very questionably) as a radical progressive who upset the establishment and therefore found himself on the road to assassination. This is mixed in with recreated fictional footage, and segues into the movie itself without distinction – making a discreet but definite claim for documentary-level accuracy. Our hero is New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison – who, in another subtle bid for trustworthiness, is played by 1991's biggest mainstream Hollywood star, Kevin Costner. There's no doubt about it: Oliver Stone...
- 4/28/2011
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
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