Film Review: Natalie Portman Embodies a Magnificent ‘Jackie’

CHICAGO – Capturing one of the most familiar woman of the last fifty years would seem impossible, except when focusing on one of the defining moments of her life. “Jackie” reveals Jacqueline Kennedy during the time of her husband John’s assassination, and when the nation lost a president.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

This biographical portrait is superior cinematic form, a combination of stylistic close-up work and funereal atmosphere by Pablo Lorrain, one of the most creative directors working today. The camera never blinks while following Natalie Portman as the title character, in a peak career performance. Jackie is a victim of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, and the story follows her through the grim week of being witness to her husband’s murder, her inconvenience – to the newly powerful – of being responsible for his funeral and the emotional haze of having to live on. The character of Jackie is defining the beginning of the end for America, the victim of hatred and violence which have evolved to the norm.

Jacqueline Kennedy (Natalie Portman) is allowing her first interview with “The Journalist” (Billy Crudup) one week after her husband, John F. Kennedy (Caspar Phillipson), had been assassinated in November of 1963. She begins to remember the events as it unfolds in her head – part surreal, part earnest and profiled in courage.

She is next to her husband as he dies of a bullet to the brain on an American street. She suffers through the elaborate funeral plans, while new presidential power essentially wants her out of the way. She seeks solace and answers from her brother-in-law Bobby (Peter Sarsgaard) and aide Nancy Tuckerman (Greta Gerwig). The nation turns its lonely eyes to her. 

”Jackie” continues its nationwide release in Chicago on December 9th. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt and Caspar Phillipson. Written by Noah Oppenheim. Directed by Pablo Larrain. Rated “R”