She married into one of America’s most infamous and wealthy political families at only 24 years old and seemed to dissolve herself into their clan. Her husband John F. Kennedy was a man used to getting his own way and the outward appearance was that she capitulated to most of his whims. There was a strength there however that she possessed that wasn’t always apparent in the sexist media coverage of the times.

That her life blossomed in the years after the assassination of Kennedy in 1963 shows the resolve she had that wasn’t always apparent in those times. Jackie the movie focuses on the early period of time when she was First Lady and then the tragic events in Texas and their aftermath. There are some extremely shocking scenes that will more than impact the viewer’s cinema experience and the film is an intense study of grief.

The film presents such a specific period of her life that it falls somewhat short in presenting the remarkable woman that she actually was. Natalie Portman is fantastic in her portrayal but is given a disappointedly lean take on the subject matter. To give such an interesting life, a window of only 100 minutes of screen time seems a disservice.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

She married into one of America’s most infamous and wealthy political families at only 24 years old and seemed to dissolve herself into their clan. Her husband John F. Kennedy was a man used to getting his own way and the outward appearance was that she capitulated to most of his whims. There was a strength there however that she possessed that wasn’t always apparent in the sexist media coverage of the times.

That her life blossomed in the years after the assassination of Kennedy in 1963 shows the resolve she had that wasn’t always apparent in those times. Jackie the movie focuses on the early period of time when she was First Lady and then the tragic events in Texas and their aftermath. There are some extremely shocking scenes that will more than impact the viewer’s cinema experience and the film is an intense study of grief.

The film presents such a specific period of her life that it falls somewhat short in presenting the remarkable woman that she actually was. Natalie Portman is fantastic in her portrayal but is given a disappointedly lean take on the subject matter. To give such an interesting life, a window of only 100 minutes of screen time seems a disservice.

Rob Hudson
www.jackiemovie.com.au

Set in the days after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Jackie follows First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as she fights through grief and trauma to regain her faith, console her children and define her husband’s legacy.

Boldly re-imaging events, acclaimed director Pablo Larraín moves back and forth in time between the immediate aftermath of the assassination, dreamlike flashes of Jackie’s happiest moments with her husband, her famous televised tour of the White House renovations as First Lady, and her most intimate moments alone, with her family and during confession as she struggles to come to terms with her loss. Larraín’s unique approach to filmmaking is accompanied by a remarkable music score by Mica Levi (Under the Skin), while at the centre of it all, ensuring her a place amongst the Best Actress contenders this awards season, Natalie Portman delivers a career best as Jackie – poised and steely in the public sphere, vulnerable and overcome with emotion in private and a commanding presence throughout.

Like nothing you’ve seen before, this beautiful, original and unflinching film goes beyond conventional biopic to galvanise the myth of an American icon.

www.jackiemovie.com.au

Competition will be drawn 11 January 2016 – winners will be notified by mail.