With Oscar season here, its no surprise that a slew of biopics has hit theaters. With there being so many, this slate has brought a few notable success stories (Hidden Figures and Sully), along with a few failures (Snowden).
Perhaps the most anticipated of them all is Jackie. The film follows Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who in the wake of her husband’s death tries to plan his funeral and find herself in a new world.
Jackie may not be among one of the year’s best films, but its certainly one of the most unique biopics in quite some time. Through its bold style and commanding lead performance, Jackie offers a resonant perspective on Jackie Kennedy’s life.
Leading the way is Natalie Portman’s much-talked about lead performance. While she doesn’t quite match the stature of Jackie, she is able to embody the deep complexion of her during this tragic time. Portman nails Kennedy’s unique vocal patterns, with her disappearing into the part from the start. She is surrounded by a well-versed cast, with Peter Sarsgaard and Greta Gerwig also being quite good in their supporting roles.
In the director’s chair is Pablo Larrain, who has proven himself to be one of Hollywood’s strongest upcoming talents. Larrain visual flair is dynamic, as he is unafraid to tackle this subject matter from a unique perspective, effortless shifting between real recordings and accurate recreations. The film is able to successfully get inside the mind of Kennedy, as she tries to hold herself together and ensure her husband has a proper legacy. Cinematographer Stephane Fontaine also does a fine job, with a variety of powerful shots further capturing her mindset.
Ultimately, the goal of any biopic is to capture its protagonist, but Jackie earns style points for its intelligent approach. Taking place in the short time period after JFK’s death, the more compact narrative gives us time to truly breathe with the characters. The film proves not only to be a good biopic, but also a telling example of the forms grief can take.
Jackie is one of the few films that feel a bit too short oddly enough. At 91 minutes, the film is tightly-paced and moves at a great pace. However, additional scenes to flesh out the lead character even more what have been welcomed. There are still some aspects of the character that feel elusive.
Most of this film’s approach is fairly unique for a biopic, except for one aspects. Dispersed throughout is segments of an interview she does two weeks after the events (Billy Crudup plays the interviewer). These segments aren’t horrible, but this has become a cliche in the genre. They are more effective and less obvious ways to render a character.
Jackie may not get everything right, but its cold approach is likely to have an impact on viewers. Portman in particular is the standout, delivering some of her best work in a challenging role.
Grade: B