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JFK
Blu-ray Edition
Film review by Gordon Justesen
Technical specs by Michael Jacobson
Stars: Kevin Costner,
Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, Laurie Metcalf, Gary Oldman, Sissy Spacek
Director: Oliver Stone
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.4:1
Studio: Warner Bros.
Features: See Review
Length: 205 Minutes
Release Date: November 11, 2008
“I say let
justice be done, though the heavens fall!”
Film ****
Oliver Stone does
something undeniably unique with his movies. He gives you his analysis or
opinion on an event, current or historical, which makes you ponder the
possibility if something could or, did, happen. Of all of Stone’s films, which
includes a list of great, monumental pieces of work, JFK, for me, truly
stands out as the director’s ultimate masterpiece. How many filmmakers have
ever created films that cause you to consider the possibility that a certain
moment in American history didn’t happen the way you thought it did, even
though the history books and news reports state that it is over and done? Like
many of Stone’s films, JFK was swirling with intense controversy even
weeks before the movie was released. Historians blasted the film’s incredible
accusations, as well as the conspiracy theories created not only by Stone, but
the central character of the movie, the late Jim Garrison. Stone’s vision of a
possible conspiracy behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is not
intended as historically accurate piece, but a shocking possibility, and is to
this day one of the greatest films ever made.
The film opens with a
montage of events leading up to the tragic assassination, beginning with
President Eisenhower’s farewell address to the nation. Various events from the
Cuban missile crisis to the war in Vietnam to Kennedy’s soft take on communism
are all covered, leading up to Kennedy’s arrival in Dallas Texas on November
22nd, 1963. Then the fateful shots ring out, and the world is
stunned. Especially stunned is New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison,
played fantastically by Kevin Costner in what I find to be his greatest
performance to date. Then Garrison, having doubts about the sole involvement of
Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman), conducts an investigation of his own. His first
reason for investigating is the fact that some previous acquaintances of
Oswald’s have resided in New Orleans.
All of this leads to
the questioning of several suspected conspirators, including David Ferrie (Joe
Pesci), Oswald’s alleged get-away man, and respected businessman Clay Shaw,
played by Tommy Lee Jones in an Oscar nominated performance that is nothing
short of remarkable. Shaw shortly becomes the key suspect, with Garrison
strongly believing him to be employed by the CIA, as well as anti-Castro, but
Shaw frequently denied having ever been in the agency. Other big-named stars pop
up in key roles, such as Kevin Bacon, Jack Lemmon, Ed Asner, Walter Matthau, and
John Candy. The biggest supporting cameo is that of Donald Sutherland, known
simply as Mr. X, who, in a truly stunning portion of the film, meets up with
Garrison in Washington to reveal to him the possibility behind the murder of
Kennedy.
Even if JFK is
historically inaccurate, the grip of the film can never be denied. At nearly
three and a half hours, the film zips by you faster than a speeding bullet with
its ingenious ideas, theories, interrogations, and above all else, the
high-quality level of filmmaking that it represents.
The writing, photography, editing, musical score, and directing are all
of the highest caliber, that it makes you wonder how Stone gets any sleep while
making a movie.
The result is a
riveting and important motion picture. Anyone and everyone should see the film,
as far as I’m concerned. Those who feel they have been denied a level of
information regarding this tragic event should not hesitate at all to experience
this gripping masterpiece from one of our most groundbreaking directors.
Video ****
High definition is a plus for this movie, and the Blu-ray edition brings out all the best in Stone's eccentric visual stylings. A mix of film stock is used for effect, as well as black and white contrasted with color, but all stretches come through with integrity, clarity and detail. The top notch cinematography is well served.
Audio ****
This movie won an Oscar for sound, so it's no surprise that the TrueHD soundtrack is phenomenal, starting with John Williams' percussive score on up. The subtleties and ambient sounds contrast nicely with the harsher, more dynamic effects that surprisingly use all channels well, despite being a historically-oriented film.
Features ***1/2
There is a full-length commentary by Oliver Stone, deleted and extended scenes, some multimedia essays, the trailer for the movie, and a new documentary "The Question of Conspiracy". The packaging is also quite cool, which is actually a hardcover booklet featuring pictures and more.
Summary:
JFK is indeed a landmark movie in a history of landmark movies. A rare film that creates countless possibilities as to what really went took place behind the assassination. Thought provoking moviemaking at its grandest.
