As far as conspiracy theories go, the JFK assassination is ripe with them, more so than any other incident in history (more so than 9/11 and the moon landings at any rate). So ingrained in the public consciousness due to it’s political and social repercussions, the shooting is still a hot topic even today, controversial even and though the film JFK is approaching its 20th birthday, it still remains a heated subject to those that cry foul of the Warren Commission’s official verdict: that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
In filmic terms, it makes for electrifying cinema. Despite many of the facts presented having since proven to either be false or a complete fabrication, it makes for some seriously gripping cinema. The paragon of all conspiracy movies since, JFK was the first film I ever saw to use that thing I now love about the genre: heated discussions between people about the alleged wrong doings (other great examples: Michael Clayton, A Few Good Men and State of Play to name a few). And there are some looooong scenes of people talking: Donald Sutherland’s breathtaking cameo is terrific as well as the entire last hour in the courtroom. Oliver Stone has become somewhat wayward in his last few efforts but in the 80’s and 90’s he was untouchable and made some of the most riveting cinema in the last thirty years.
It’s certainly the fastest three-hour movie I’ve ever seen. James Ellroy’s American Tabloid could almost be its spiritual successor.
5/5
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