JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessettes relationship gets a…
America’s royal household is getting “The Crown” treatment.
The life and death of John F. Kennedy Jr. and his spouse, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, are dramatized in the new FX sequence, “Love Story.” The result’s a show that’s entertaining enough – but it also falls into the “biography drama” pitfall of steadily feeling like a shiny, well-produced Wikipedia web page.
Premiering Feb. 12 (9 p.m.) on FX and Hulu, the show is produced by Ryan Murphy, as an offshoot of his “American Crime Story” franchise (which included the Emmy-winning 2016 sequence “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story”).
Sarah Pidgeon performs Carolyn Bessette and Paul Kelly portrays JFK Jr. in “Love Story.” ©FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection
JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in March 1993. Getty Images
“Love Story,” also called “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” sees Paul Kelly taking part in JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon play Carolyn.
The drama opens by displaying the risky couple arguing and embarking on their doomed flight with John in the pilot seat. President John F. Kennedy’s son died at 38 in a 1999 aircraft crash, along with Carolyn, who was 33, and her sister, Lauren, who was 34.
Right after the aircraft takes off, the scene cuts to seven years earlier, displaying John and Carolyn assembly, taking the viewer through the ups and downs of their tumultuous relationship.
Like many biographies, the show picks key moments to linger on, while hopscotching across other developments. This principally works, but a few parts really feel too disjointed, such as John’s relationship with actress Daryl Hannah (Dree Hemingway).
Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly in “Love Story.” GC Images
John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy during the annual White House Correspondents dinner in 1999. Getty Images
The show is a stable watch. It isn’t a prepare wreck, but it’s also not practically attention-grabbing enough, contemplating its subject matter.
John and Carolyn have been an intriguing couple. She famously struggled with the press and paparazzi coverage that got here with courting – then marrying – American royalty. He lived under intense scrutiny in his well-known father’s shadow, and dabbled in a number of high-profile industries (including Hollywood, publishing, and the legal world).
The show needs to be riveting. It’s compelling enough, but it’s all relatively bland. When the first images got here out of Kelly and Pidgeon in their roles, there was backlash online, with followers stating the small print that seemed fudged, like Pidgeon’s hair coloration, which wasn’t blonde enough.
Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in “Love Story.” ©FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection
Naomi Watts filming a scene from “Love Story.” GC Images
The show isn’t as unhealthy as the backlash may need you suppose, but it’s not as good as it needs to be, either. The actors’ performances are respectable, but they appear to be the smoothed-over, airbrushed Instagram filtered model of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. That just about encapsulates the whole show.
The writing tries to think about John and Carolyn’s motives and personal conversations, but they both really feel like broad archetypes, on-screen. He’s the unique “nepo baby,” son of a president, tabloid staple, troubled by society’s expectations, trailed by paparazzi, drawn to a lady who appears laborious to get. His cousin incredulously says, “I’ve never seen you have to woo someone before!”
Meanwhile, Carolyn is a troubled celebration lady. They may simply be characters in any show about a playboy and aloof lady. Aside from some Kennedy name-dropping, it could possibly be a naturalistic Batman show that merely isn’t doing the superhero half, yet. It’s not boring to watch, but neither of them really feel idiosyncratic enough.
Sarah Pidgeon in “Love Story.” GC Images
Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon in “Love Story.” ryanmurphyproductions/Instagram
Naomi Watts performs John’s mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She’s often a powerhouse actress. Her distracting attempt to mimic Jackie O’s upper-crust accent is a uncommon swing and a miss. In her often succesful fingers, America’s most iconic first girl is a caricature.
If you’re an American historical past fiend, or in a extremely scrutinized ‘90s couple who had a messy relationship, “Love Story” is worth a watch. It’s not as lurid and empty as Murphy’s worst exhibits. It’s downright elegant, for a Murphy joint.
Watching “Love Story” is comparable to watching “The Crown” during its weakest seasons. If you need to see the story dramatized on-screen, it’s there. But in any other case, you’re better off watching one of the many documentaries or studying one of the many books about the real couple.
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