'Jackie' Review

Nominated For: Best Actress; Natalie Portman, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score.

Jackie is a traditional bio-pic offering a glimpse into a window of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's life as she must struggle to raise children, stay strong in the faith, and define the legacy of husband and President John F. Kennedy immediately following his assassination. Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín directs the biographical drama, providing the entire feature with the look of the '60s period it's set. Larraín and cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine shot the picture with old-school Super 16 cameras to authenticate the look of vintage camerawork and capture the aesthetic of actual archival footage. 

In the technical stockade, Mica Levi's moving musical compositions work wonders paired with editor Sebastián Sepúlveda's well-woven sequences and Fontaine's distinguished images of the exceptional performances, timely costumes, and picturesque production design. Perhaps the most undervalued asset put forth by Jackie is its screenplay, penned by Noah Oppenheim. Oppenheim sets Jackie apart from her husband, establishing that she was her own entity by focusing on her time after his death. Jackie's shown both at her highest and lowest emotionally, and the range required to display that is simply remarkable.

However, I think one of the most interesting facets of information provided by Oppenheim's script was Jackie's value of public perception. She doesn't just want to be looked upon kindly herself, she wants her husband's legacy to stand apart among the presidential portraits. The way she plans the subtle details of his funeral procession to mirror Lincoln's is undeniably intriguing.

As for Jackie herself, Natalie Portman dives head-first into delivering an outstanding performance that both respects Jackie Kennedy in addition to ensuring an accurate portrayal. Portman not only musters an excellent accent but also convincingly captures the psychological and emotional anguish Jackie Kennedy suffered resulting from JFK's assassination. The supporting cast includes renowned actors Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, John Carroll Lynch, Beth Grant, John Hurt, Billy Crudup, and Caspar Phillison in crucial bit roles, but your focus remains affixed upon Portman, who consistently commands your attention.

In summary, Jackie functions as a fascinating character study and a powerful performance piece for Natalie Portman in addition to being a generally well-constructed period piece bio-pic that highlights capable direction and plenty of noteworthy technical elements ranging from illustrious scenery to the beautiful underlying musical accompaniment.

Film Assessment: B