Fifty years ago, tragedy struck in Dallas with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It was a event that has stuck in the public consciousness, with people years after the fact well aware of what transpired, and the vast conspiracy theories it birthed. Said conspiracy theories have been the subject of a handful movies before, but now we have something different with Parkland (named after the hospital where the President was rushed to after the shooting), which chronicles the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Featuring a disparate group of characters, from Kennedy's Secret Service staff to witnesses present at the tragic event, it provides an insightful and moving snapshot of those fateful two days in November of 1963.
A huge ensemble cast comes together for this collection of very human, character driven stories, refreshingly free from any conspiracy being presented (though it comes close when dealing with the FBI agent who was visited by Lee Harvey Oswald days before the shooting), with notable actors, such as Paul Giamatti, Zac Efron, Billy Bob Thornton, and Jackie Earle Healy, rubbing shoulders with lesser known, but no less talented, names, like Tom Welling, James Badge Dale, and Colin Hanks. The direction from Peter Landesman almost makes us intruders on these characters, everything told in a very real way. Early scenes, taking place minutes after the shooting, are heart wrenching, watching a storm of emotion play out onscreen as the staff of Parkland hospital try to come to terms with who has just being wheeled into their operating room. The emotions of the Secret Service is also perfectly handled, their worst fears brought to life. The film presents the other side of the coin very well, namely the reaction of Olswald's family. James Badge Dale, as Oswald's brother Robert, plays the mixed emotions perfectly, fully embracing his brothers guilt but still torn by the ties of family. Nothing feels played out, and the movies maintains the respect for it's subject matter.
The performances feel very real, driving forward the story without faltering. Thorton and Efron put it very subtle and low key turns, Thornton especially dialling it back. Giamatti gives it his all as Abraham Zapruder, who famously shot the footage of the assassination. Unwittingly thrust into middle of the investigation, beset on all sides by people willing to exploit the film he possesses, the actor conveys the shock and helplessness this brings, putting in one of the movies most powerful performances.
Brought to life by fantastic ensemble performances, Parkland is a powerful snapshot of shocking real life events, shot through with a respect it deserves.
A huge ensemble cast comes together for this collection of very human, character driven stories, refreshingly free from any conspiracy being presented (though it comes close when dealing with the FBI agent who was visited by Lee Harvey Oswald days before the shooting), with notable actors, such as Paul Giamatti, Zac Efron, Billy Bob Thornton, and Jackie Earle Healy, rubbing shoulders with lesser known, but no less talented, names, like Tom Welling, James Badge Dale, and Colin Hanks. The direction from Peter Landesman almost makes us intruders on these characters, everything told in a very real way. Early scenes, taking place minutes after the shooting, are heart wrenching, watching a storm of emotion play out onscreen as the staff of Parkland hospital try to come to terms with who has just being wheeled into their operating room. The emotions of the Secret Service is also perfectly handled, their worst fears brought to life. The film presents the other side of the coin very well, namely the reaction of Olswald's family. James Badge Dale, as Oswald's brother Robert, plays the mixed emotions perfectly, fully embracing his brothers guilt but still torn by the ties of family. Nothing feels played out, and the movies maintains the respect for it's subject matter.
The performances feel very real, driving forward the story without faltering. Thorton and Efron put it very subtle and low key turns, Thornton especially dialling it back. Giamatti gives it his all as Abraham Zapruder, who famously shot the footage of the assassination. Unwittingly thrust into middle of the investigation, beset on all sides by people willing to exploit the film he possesses, the actor conveys the shock and helplessness this brings, putting in one of the movies most powerful performances.
Brought to life by fantastic ensemble performances, Parkland is a powerful snapshot of shocking real life events, shot through with a respect it deserves.
