JFK main backdrop
JFK main poster

7.6/10 • 2.2K

1991-12-203h 8m

DramaThrillerHistory

The story that won't go away.

Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.

Directors
Oliver Stone
Editors
Pietro Scalia

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Kevin Costner

    Kevin Costner

    Jim Garrison

  2. Tommy Lee Jones

    Tommy Lee Jones

    Clay Shaw

  3. Gary Oldman

    Gary Oldman

    Lee Harvey Oswald

  4. Kevin Bacon

    Kevin Bacon

    Willie O'Keefe

  5. Michael Rooker

    Michael Rooker

    Bill Broussard

  6. Jack Lemmon

    Jack Lemmon

    Jack Martin

  7. Laurie Metcalf

    Laurie Metcalf

    Susie Cox

  8. Sissy Spacek

    Sissy Spacek

    Liz Garrison

  9. Joe Pesci

    Joe Pesci

    David Ferrie

Reviews2

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wizzardss Avatar

wizzardss

Feb 18, 2021

9/10

On 22 November 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. On 24 September 1964, the President's Commission on the Assassination was presented to Kennedy's successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, presenting the results of the official Government investigation. JFK follows New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) as he form his own alternative investigation, culminating in the trial of businessman Clay Shaw (Robert De Niro) on 29 January 1969 for conspiring to assassinate President Kennedy. This is, to date, the only trial to have been brought for the assassination of President Kennedy. As political dramas go, JFK is aimed at the truly hardcore fans. With its three hour runtime, the first two hours of the film are spent delving into the background of Kennedy's death and setting up the plausibility of the "alternative" scenario. It is important to remember that this is, ultimately, a propaganda film and whether you believe the events or not, it differs from the official Government narrative. For a newcomer to the events of 22 November 1963 - which I was - this extended setup is simultaneously extremely helpful and mentally exhausting, and it is difficult to keep both awake and aware, so approaching the film with some knowledge - even of the Government narrative - is beneficial. However, the final act of the film is extremely compelling watching, featuring Costner delivering a famous soliloquy that undoubtedly helped to influence later courtroom dramas, such as A Few Good Men and Amistad, as they pitch one man against the Government. While JFK was - rightly - nominated for a number of Oscars, including Best Picture and De Niro as Best Supporting Actor, and won Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing, it is difficult to feel that Costner was inexplicably overlooked as he singlehandedly carries the final act. Extremely dry, but immensely compelling. You will question what you have just witnessed.

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$40,000,000.00
Revenue
$205,405,498.00
Keywords
vietnam warcentral intelligence agency (cia)assassinationusa presidentgovernmentpoliticshomophobiatexasnew orleans, louisianainvestigationjohn f. kennedyhistorical figurepresidentconspiracydistrict attorneydeathjohn f. kennedy assassinationtauntingassassination of presidentspeculativeusa historyshocking1960ssombercourtroom dramasuspiciouslegal thrillerjacqueline kennedyamericaambiguousantagonisticdefiant