Kennedys Review

• 10th Aug 2011

America’s favourite family, the Kennedys, have always been surrounded by controversy and the mini-series depicting their rise to political power did not escape the “Kennedy Curse”.   Before it was even cast the series was accused of being historically inaccurate and portraying the family in a negative manner. Caroline Kennedy (daughter of the late JFK Snr) appealed for the series to be dropped and the History Channel obliged, stating that the series  “dramatic interpretation is not a fit for the History brand” (oddly enough it was fit for the UK History Channel). Other networks declined the opportunity to pick up the series and it looked as though it would never be aired until Reelzchannel finally brought the broadcast rights. Clearly the Kennedy family still have some muscle.

So, what was all the fuss about? Not much it would seem. Clearly this was extremely expensive to make, the casting was excellent and the whole feel of the series is highly stylised. But scratch the surface and all you have is a very average show, which is a shame as the scandal-ridden Kennedys should make for fascinating subjects.

The 8 part series chronicles JFK’s rise to political power, from a playboy with little interest in politics to one of the most iconic Presidents the US has ever seen.  However, the series also focuses on ruthless Kennedy patriarch Joseph Kennedy Snr, who used his wealth and influence to propel his son to power,  as well as the seemingly unappreciated Bobby Kennedy, whose campaigning prowess was apparently responsible for getting his brother elected to the Whitehouse.  The series features political events such as Bay of Pigs, the Cold War and the race riots, but there is also a focus on JFKs philandering (natural Marilyn Monroe makes an appearance), Mafioso connections and problems with the FBI. Finally we see the assassination of both John and Bobby, that’s the problem with a drama based on true events, you inevitably know how it will all end.

The casting is excellent, Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine) certainly looks the part and he adequately captures the mannerisms of JFK.  Katie Holmes (Dawson’s Creek) makes for an especially stylish and doe-eyed Jackie Kennedy, the obedient and repeatedly betrayed First Lady. But it is Barry Pepper (True Grit, The Green Mile) as Bobby Kennedy and Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins, The Ghost) as Joseph Kennedy Snr who really stand out, they both have a great range with the ability to portray  strength, vulnerability and everything in between.

Despite the interesting subject matter, the great casting and the millions of dollars that were clearly lavished on this production there is something lacking. At 8 hours it is overly-long and can be very slow in parts, cutting it to 6 hours would probably have improved its pace. It’s also slightly misleading, as a viewer with only a cursory knowledge of the Kennedys it is hard to pinpoint what is fact and what is fiction. The series is never quite sure how they want to portray the Kennedys, as American heroes or as the morally corrupt rich and it has a tendency to veer towards the cheesy. The Kennedys is a perfectly capable series and there is no doubt that it is very well made and if you have even a passing interest in the Kennedy family then this won’t disappoint, but those who care little for America’s political sweethearts, or care a great deal for historical accuracy, should probably avoid this Kennedy marathon.

Lindsay Emerson