Oliver Stone has been labeled controversial since his
Oscar-winning portrayal of the Vietnam War “Platoon.” Stone brought
to screen the life of what our men experienced and America wasn’t
ready. In 1991, he’d take on a subject that was as taboo as you can
get as a historian/filmmaker; the Assassination of President John
F. Kennedy (November 22nd, 1963). Although this event was only
captured by one camera and only one life was lost; it scarred
Americans like nothing to date.
Parental warning: Review and film are meant to provoke self-thought. Film may not be for kids under 16.
Oliver Stone has been labeled controversial since his Oscar-winning portrayal of the Vietnam War “Platoon.” Stone brought to screen the life of what our men experienced and America wasn’t ready. In 1991, he’d take on a subject that was as taboo as you can get as a historian/filmmaker; the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy (November 22nd, 1963). Although this event was only captured by one camera and only one life was lost; it scarred Americans like nothing to date.
The film itself tells the story of Jim Garrison played by Kevin Costner (“Field of Dreams”) who was the New Orleans D.A. and decided to put a few people on trial for the murder. To this day it is the only trial or attempt by the Government to find those involved. Before we get into theories or jump to say it was Lee Harvey Oswald (who managed to fire a fatal facial shot from a building “behind” the President); we need to remember this film doesn’t claim fact. It asks you to think. To examine history for yourself. There is more to it then what books, teachers and your parents say. I went to the spot the President was killed when I was on a road trip (Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas) The Plaza is as tiny as one could imagine. It is 15 feet from the grassy knoll to the marking on the ground where the President took a head shot. I don’t say I know, but I can say having stood there; I’ve never touched a gun and I could have hit a moving target. Something doesn’t sit well when, you stand where it happened.
The film changed my life. My Father made me watch it (thankfully). I remember leaving the old Waikiki twins cinema and said to myself “I want to make movies” (I do). It was the fact that a film could entertain you, boast cinema-changing use of film stock (over 30 different film stocks used) and editing that required 3 editors working 20 hours a day; could make you think. Lets face it, we don’t want to think when we see a movie. That’s fine, this review nor the film are meant to accuse you the viewer of anything. However the film does say “think”. The film does say, lets make sure something like this doesn’t happen again. This event brought to light a generational distrust by young people for our Government agencies (due to the lock-up of any files the Govt. has about the President’s killing) that was ultimately topped with Watergate and President Richard M. Nixon. I myself wonder why the files have to be locked until 2029.
I wasn’t alive, so all I have is books, films and elders. What I do know is this film is a historical document. This film was the first time a film tackled this subject. It is said that Oliver Stone received death threats and had to spend his nights during filming writing rebuttal letters to newspapers all over the world. The fact was, the media was attacking the film before they’d even scene it. What is even more ironic about the fear of what Stone was doing or might un-cover; he was blasted by journalists before the film was even shot. As a young person it makes me question the Warren Report (Google it).
The movie “JFK” and I ask you to seek out your own truth. It can be about this topic, Watergate, 9/11; it is not wrong to questions things. It’s our duty and Democratic right.
Year: 1991
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci, JackLemmon
Oscars: Editing (multiple nominations including Best Director)
Lihu‘e Library Film Club presents: Kaua‘i Student Films
6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19 in the Library Conference Room
Free admission
