JFK stars Kevin Costner in the lead role of Jim Garrison and was released on December 20th, 1991. This mystery drama is centered around the real life assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963 as seen from the eyes of the New Orleans district attorney. It reexamines the events leading up to the President's assassination and investigates the possibility of a cover up.
The film stirred up controversy even before it was released due to negative reviews accusing director Oliver Stone of stretching and embellishing historical facts.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JFK_(film)
Plot Synopsis
The film opens with coverage of U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and a summary of the events that led to his assassination. Jim Garrison and his team discover and research links to New Orleans, but their investigation is viewed negatively by the United States Government and closed.
Garrison reopens the investigation after discovering what he believes are inaccuracies in the Warren Report and interviews several possible leads including Willie O'Keefe, Jean Hill and a man from Washington D.C who calls himself X. Through the interviews, as well as tests of concepts like the Single Bullet Theory (re-enacting the shot with an empty rifle to determine if the shot was possible), Garrison becomes convinced of a conspiracy theory involving the Secret Service, FBI, CIA and the Mafia.
While Garrison receives public criticism for spending taxpayer money on his investigation, as well as facing other difficulties and unfortunate circumstances, he succeeds in putting international businessman Clay Shaw on trial for conspiracy to murder the President. However, the jury acquits Shaw after deliberating for less than an hour due to a lack of evidence. The credits at the end of the movie claim that records related to the assassination will be publicly released in 2027.
Cast
Kevin Costner - Jim Garrison
Sissy Spacek - Jim Garrison's wife Liz
Reviews
"The movie "JFK" was described by the most trusted man in America Walter Cronkite as "a tissue of lies". Director Oliver Stone now calls this film "an alternative myth" such is the misinformation and inaccuracies in this movie. The line "let the truth be known or the Heavens fall" is from a Hollywood writer and was never stated. In actual fact, Garrison wasn't even at the courts at the time of the court's decision. He was in his office at the time. Indeed, there is little truth in this film as a lot of the witnesses and their fates were made up for this fictional movie."Amazon: Amazon Product Reviews: JFK: Director's Cut
"Oliver Stone's "JFK" was meant to stir up emotions and provoke the viewer, and it certainly does that well."Amazon Product Reviews: Amazon Product Reviews: JFK: Director's Cut
"There are a number of interesting performances in this film - including a very good Kevin Costner performance (this film is pre-outsized ego)."Amazon Product Reviews: Amazon Product Reviews: JFK: Director's Cut
"And tons of actors racked-up major "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" links thanks to the large number of solid speaking roles in this film." Amazon Product Reviews: Amazon Product Reviews: JFK: Director's Cut
"A worthy investment - even if you don't like Oliver Stone - this is a good to great film that will definitely get you thinking."Amazon Product Reviews: Amazon Product Reviews: JFK: Director's Cut
"You'll pick it apart later, but while it's going, it's one great political thriller."Rotten Tomatoes: [ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1037756-jfk/articles/1449379/youll_pick_it_apart_later_but_while_its_going_its_one_great_political_thriller Rotten Tomates]