The Kennedy family has a long litany of triumphs and tragedies. One story that has largely gone untold is the accident involving the late Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy that resulted in the death of the young Mary Jo Kopechne.
While the Kennedys have been the center of multiple films in the past, this is the first time the summertime scandal from 1969 has hit the big screen. Directed by John Curran, 'Chappaquiddick' looks at the events immediately leading up to and following the accident. The film has all the elements that could make for an interesting drama - politics, lies, power, sex - and it really digs into the backstory of what happened, far beyond what the public was aware of at the time.
Of course, 'Chappaquiddick' is accused of being a film that looks to exploit the Kennedys, but it's clear that the truth of what happened is more interesting than fiction. In terms of acting, Jason Clarke plays the late senator spot on, with an accent that is halfway decent. While Kopechne does not have a ton of screen time, given the nature of the history behind the film, Kate Mara plays the role believably. While Ed Helms does his best job in a serious role as Kennedy cousin Joe Gargan, and Jim Gaffigan plays the bumbling, corrupt district attorney, it's Bruce Dern who perhaps delivers the best performance as the cold, incapacitated Kennedy patriarch, Joe.
While this film is so character-driven, there are other things that should be noted. The cinematography is impressive, as the spirit of 1960s Massachusetts comes through effectively. The soundtrack is also simple but fits the tone of the film well.
Political films by nature are divisive, and will sometimes turn off one half of the audience from the start. 'Chappaquiddick' is an example of a film that can take a close look at a tense moment in history with a level head and letting audiences to form their own opinions without the usual preaching.
While the Kennedys have been the center of multiple films in the past, this is the first time the summertime scandal from 1969 has hit the big screen. Directed by John Curran, 'Chappaquiddick' looks at the events immediately leading up to and following the accident. The film has all the elements that could make for an interesting drama - politics, lies, power, sex - and it really digs into the backstory of what happened, far beyond what the public was aware of at the time.
Of course, 'Chappaquiddick' is accused of being a film that looks to exploit the Kennedys, but it's clear that the truth of what happened is more interesting than fiction. In terms of acting, Jason Clarke plays the late senator spot on, with an accent that is halfway decent. While Kopechne does not have a ton of screen time, given the nature of the history behind the film, Kate Mara plays the role believably. While Ed Helms does his best job in a serious role as Kennedy cousin Joe Gargan, and Jim Gaffigan plays the bumbling, corrupt district attorney, it's Bruce Dern who perhaps delivers the best performance as the cold, incapacitated Kennedy patriarch, Joe.
While this film is so character-driven, there are other things that should be noted. The cinematography is impressive, as the spirit of 1960s Massachusetts comes through effectively. The soundtrack is also simple but fits the tone of the film well.
Political films by nature are divisive, and will sometimes turn off one half of the audience from the start. 'Chappaquiddick' is an example of a film that can take a close look at a tense moment in history with a level head and letting audiences to form their own opinions without the usual preaching.