Couple of days ago, I was invited to a 2 hour movie screening of The Kennedys at The Cathay. The Kennedys is an eight episode miniseries, chronicling the lives of the Kennedy family. The movie portray all the way back to November 8, 1960 – Election Day – with America choosing between the charismatic Senator John F. Kennedy and his far more experienced opponent, Vice President Richard M. Nixon.
Through flashbacks to the 1930s and 1940s we see Joe Sr.’s ambition to be president himself and a disastrous tenure in London in which his pro-Nazi sentiments lead to his dismissal. Joe, being an ultimate goal achiever, he makes a solemn oath to have either his first or second son to make it to the White House if he failed to. The two brothers, Joe Jr. and Jack had an intense battle to win their father’s love and respect also to be accepted in the political scene.
The historical facts of the Kennedy family has been illustrated in a very concise and well-constructed manner. It is clear that director has carefully paced the flow of the story through constant flashback between the 30s and 60s so that audience can have the better understanding of the background of The Kennedys, the emotion struggle within the family and the motivation of them entering to the white house. Some people might think that it is too dramatized but personally, I think that it has been well-executed, filled with entertainment. It just doesn’t feel like a 2 hour movie.
The Kennedys will premiere this coming Monday, Sept 19 @ 9pm (HISTORY – Chl 401)