The Films I love: JFK

Oliver Stone is probably one of the most controversial directors to ever live and JFK is his most controversial film.  It is a study of the John F. Kennedy assassination and the film paints a compelling argument that there was indeed a conspiracy behind the president's murder. One can only imagine the shit storm that came down on the film back in 1991 with several newspapers slamming the film months before release and claiming that it was a complete fabrication with no basis on facts.  And while JFK certainly does a lot of guess work and paranoid speculation it also presents a case with some undeniably sound arguments.  Oliver Stone is a smart man and the amount of research and time spent on this film is nothing short of astounding.  In the end what makes JFK so thought provoking and rewarding is it's message to continue searching for the truth in all facets of life.  It is probably one of the most patriotic films ever made even while it is condemning the American government for acts of treason.

If I had to name the three best films of the 1990's it would probably go in this order - Schindler's List (1993), Unforgiven (1992), and JFK (1991).  JFK surprisingly made a strong showing at the Academy Awards that year, but lost in most of its categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay which it so plainly deserved.  The recreation of the assassination alone is one of the most exhilarating pieces of directing ever placed on the screen and it cost Stone several million dollars to get it up there.  But JFK was too controversial and it was up against an unlikely juggernaut that year - The Silence of the Lambs, which would take all three of JFK's top awards for which it was nominated.  Lambs is in my top 10 films of the 1990's, but it simply cannot compare to the artistry that is on display within JFK.  The film did win two Oscars, which it justly deserved including Best Cinematography and Best Editing.  Any film student studying the art of editing should be required to view JFK as it has some of the most complex editing ever committed to film as it switches between real stock footage, recreations, scripted dialogue, and speculative footage all within the same scene.  It was probably the one award that no one could argue with no matter how controversial the film may have been.

The acting in JFK was largely ignored, though Tommy Lee Jones did score an unlikely nomination for playing a homosexual business man who had ties to the CIA, Cubans and Mob underworld- Clay Shaw.  I'm not a huge Jones fan but he really sells this character and it's one of his more daring performances without being overstated and stereotypical.  There are tons of cameo performances in the film from the likes of Donald Sutherland, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matheau, Joe Pesci, and John Candy.  But the real heart stirring performance of the film that was largely overlooked come awards time was Kevin Costner playing New Orleans DA Jim Garrsion who made it his life's work to find out the truth about the Kennedy Assassination.  Costner gives one of his most honest and vulnerable screen performances in JFK.  The Costner edge is largely missing from the part and instead he gives himself completely over to the quest.  Costner's final speech in the courtroom is emotional because of the honesty of this man's convictions.  Garrison was a patriot who dared to stand up to his country and his government and ask the questions that too many were unwilling to ask.  If more had stood by his cause perhaps there would be more answers about the slaying of the president and more of the files on the assassination would be on public record.  

JFK makes a lot of claims, some of which it cannot fully back-up.  It's biggest accusation is that Lyndon B. Johnson was somehow involved in the assassination.  It's a huge claim and scary one, but the film makes an intriguing case that the government was highly responsible for the President's death.  The truth of the matter is we still don't know.  The likely hood that Lee Harvey Oswald killed Kennedy alone is very slim as evidence in both the film and history suggests.  What JFK argues is that Oswald really was just the patsy and never fired one bullet, though he may have been involved in another way - as the fall guy.  But even after all the conspiracy theories are thrown out the film has another agenda up it's sleeves - it wants to inspire Americans to stand up for themselves and their rights.  It wants America's citizens to question their government and take more responsibility for themselves.  What JFK argues that hits closest to the bone is that Kennedy's assassination may have been more of the public's fault than anyone elses because of our complacency.  If nothing else JFK serves as a warning of what can happen to our great nation when we no longer stand up for ourselves.  

John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby Kennedy were both murdered in cold blood because they sought to change this country and to invigorate the American people.  They were extremely progressive leaders who fought for what they believed including civil rights and an end to needless bloodshed.  Kennedy prevented us from going into a nuclear war and maintained "friendly" boundaries with the Soviets.  For this he was branded a traitor and a communist by many in America.  But to others he was a hero and ultimately he died for it.  What Kennedy stood for is oddly representative of what is currently happening in our political climate this election season.  And as we head into the final week of this election we should be reminding ourselves to do exactly what the film JFK asks us to do - 

"Tennyson wrote, Authority forgets a dying king... and this was never more true than for John F. Kennedy, whose murder was probably one the most terrible moments in the history of our country. You, the people, the jury system sitting in judgment on Clay Shaw, represent the hope of humanity against government power. In discharging your duty, in bringing the first conviction in this house of cards against Clay Shaw. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.... Do not forget your dying king. Show this world that this is still a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Nothing as long as you live will ever be more important.... It's up to you"

In other words - stand up for yourself, be a true citizen, make your voice heard and vote for the change you believe the country needs whatever that may be.  Remember your dying king.  Remember what John Kennedy fought for.  That's what the film JFK is really about.  It may be controversial, but it's also one of the most patriotic and one of the greatest American films of all time.  Oliver Stone should be very proud of his achievement.

JFK (1991)

Dir. Oliver Stone

Academy Awards Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Original Score

Academy Award Wins: Best Cinematography, Best Editing

Note of Interest:  Oliver Stone's Nixon serves as an unofficial sequel to JFK and it is equally fascinating in parts and even suggests that Nixon may have been inadvertantly involved in the assassination.  It also features a great performance by Anthony Hopkins as Richard Nixon.