The alleged curse of the Kennedy family began with the deaths of two of Joe Sr. And Rose's children, those being Joe Jr. And Kathleen, both in their 20's. The large catholic family was close as long as everyone obeyed the elders, and patriarch Joe Sr. (Stephen Elliott) and Rose (Gloria Stroock) were not happy with the rebellion of daughter Kathleen's (Darleen Carr) love for a non-catholic British aristocrat, no matter how powerful. Joe Jr. (Peter Strauss) is poised to be the next patriarch, lovingly controlling his siblings, usually under pressure from his parents.
But just because they are domineering and set in their ways doesn't change their love, however controlling they are. It's just that the expectations are too great for all of their large offspring to endure, and a set-up of Joe as a future political king leaves others in his shadow as papa Joe Sr. Overlooks the younger sons Jack ("John"), Ted and Bobby. When pilot John has a heroic rescue of his troop on the PT 109, it's silently a slam to Joe Sr. Whose father seems disappointed that it wasn't him.
The use of mostly unknown actors playing a good majority of the family makes it focused on character, not on celebrity, and that's a good element in this family drama with a world war II background. It's easy to see why the charismatic family rose as tops in American society and politics, and why their fascination continues to this day.
Strauss is excellent as Joe, but his Boston accent sometimes disappears. Barbara Parkins, as the married woman he loves (and probably would have been forbidden to marry) is also good. Steve Kanaly, later of TV's "Dallas", ironically plays a character named Ray. Sam Chew Jr. Plays John who only by tragic circumstances moves up the line of succession. Not perfect, but definitely enlightening and entertaining.
But just because they are domineering and set in their ways doesn't change their love, however controlling they are. It's just that the expectations are too great for all of their large offspring to endure, and a set-up of Joe as a future political king leaves others in his shadow as papa Joe Sr. Overlooks the younger sons Jack ("John"), Ted and Bobby. When pilot John has a heroic rescue of his troop on the PT 109, it's silently a slam to Joe Sr. Whose father seems disappointed that it wasn't him.
The use of mostly unknown actors playing a good majority of the family makes it focused on character, not on celebrity, and that's a good element in this family drama with a world war II background. It's easy to see why the charismatic family rose as tops in American society and politics, and why their fascination continues to this day.
Strauss is excellent as Joe, but his Boston accent sometimes disappears. Barbara Parkins, as the married woman he loves (and probably would have been forbidden to marry) is also good. Steve Kanaly, later of TV's "Dallas", ironically plays a character named Ray. Sam Chew Jr. Plays John who only by tragic circumstances moves up the line of succession. Not perfect, but definitely enlightening and entertaining.