Parkland

[The Sparrow]

To all the people saying they couldn't see the point of this film as nothing new was shown. What more do you expect to see? The man was shot, those photos/footage won't change. What was different was that we saw how the event impacted on the lives of others. I very much doubt you've seen that before?

[prettyxcool]

I found it fascinating to see how the murder impacted on those people involved in the aftermath.

The man who took the famous film, the medical staff, the Secret Service, Police etc and Oswald's family all had to deal with the aftermath in different ways.

Jacki Weaver was wonderful as the Oswalds' mother and if the conspiracy theorists are right, then she told the truth. Personally, I don't believe a word.

I often wonder how the families of high profile murderers deal with the crime their family member is accused of. As such my sympathy lay with Robert and I truly admire his strength of character and resolve [spoiler]for ignoring the advice given to change his name and move.[/spoiler]

It may well have been protocol but how cold and brutal would it have been if they [spoiler]had abandoned Jackie Kennedy and left her without any support at such a traumatic time.[/spoiler]

This film moved me immensely and although it featured an historical event, I was praying they would save him in the emergency room.

It was very interesting to see such a famous event from totally different perspectives. I applaud the hospital staff who then had to deal with [spoiler]trying to save Kennedy's killer.[/spoiler]

8/10

I might have enjoyed it slightly more had the middle-aged moron sitting next to me, hadn't been constantly scrolling on his damn mobile phone and showing it to his female companion. Sir, you should know better at your age!

Totally agreed with you, Sparrow. Could not have said it better myself. I was engrossed and gripped. What a grim, emotional and extraordinary event, and how different people coped. I felt the ensuing chaos of the aftermath and being taking off guard, what normally happens when disaster strikes, no matter how well you are prepared for it. Thought the acting was superb, from Zac Effon being frozen faced with the enormity of his task to save the President, to the man who took the footage sent from pillar to post, and the killer's brother, even the priest and the guy who wanted to do the autopsy, the agents trying to get the coffin back to Washington, the killer's funeral. Each played a part which shone through of how it impacted on them, some scenes so heartbreaking. A part of history very well told. 8/10

[The Sparrow]

The utter chaos on the plane distressed me. People so protective of their "man" but not thinking things through.

I would hope lessons have been learnt if such a thing were to happen now.

Also I never understand why American agencies and law enforcement don't work together.

[Beate]

This was boring. Like "Diana", another film that the world didn't need. Shame - I like Zac Efron but like the others he had nothing to work with here apart from acting emotionally traumatised. Oswald's mother was beyond weird.

6/10

[marjoreemarjora]

Just getting to post review now. I had high hopes for this film and was a bit disappointed, not sure quite why.

As the others have said it was the impact this had on others, the local folks,and particularly the man who took the film the ,hospital staff and the Oswald family that was so well filmed. I know lots of people who always say they remember what they were doing when JFK died.

We will never know what happened here or who was really involved a bit like Diana. So many theories

7/10 from me

[LondonCityNights]

It was alright. Some good performances and a nice sense of place and atmosphere, but a little low on analysis and interpretation.

Worst part was someone loudly rustling their way through a scrunchy bag of food in Islington during the quiet bits. Grrr.

[alythonian]

I liked this. Paul Giamatti was really excellent and you really felt for him. Jackie Weaver as Lee Harvey Oswald's mother was amazing. It took me an age to recognise her, but she truly was exceptional in the role. She seems to have found a niche role in playing mothers of the disturbed these days!
My OH wanted to know what the film sold for - he says that annoyed him not knowing, but I think that was the whole point of the film, 50 years on we still don't know and if anyone does, they are not telling.

8/10

[claire]

Saw this last night at packed shepherds bush

Not a great Hollywood movie (didn't realise until the end tom hanks co-produced it )
But I quite enjoyed. Still so many loose ends and doubt ever get to know what actually happened.
Quite interesting. But for me. It's one of those films to watch on ur tv at home
7/10

[funthing29]

Well acted and watchable but it did not have the emotional impact I was expecting. The first third was excellent, portraying the chaos and shock of the event but then the pacing slowed right down and it became too ponderous. It felr quite long for a 93 minute film. 6/10.

I actually found myself spending more time trying to spot all the actors I recognised rather than engaging with the characters.

[caitlinmorton]

I fully agree with PXC and The Sparrow. I found this incredibly moving, and a very interesting take on things highlighting the people no one thinks about.

I did find most of my sympathy falling with Robert, [spoiler]I was able to hold it together through the entire film, but when Robert had to ask the press to help him with Oswald's coffin, I just lost it.[/spoiler]

I tried to explain this to my mother on the phone last night and she did not understand. She was only a toddler when it happened though and as such I'm far too young, but that's what I took from it.

Wonderful cast, great performances from Zac Efron and Jacki Weaver and James Badge Dale. I MIGHT have mistaken Tom Welling for James Marsden for a second there, but was pleased once I realized who it actually was.