"Jackie," starring an amazing Natalie Portman, walks a fine line between historical record and artistic inquiry. Loosely based on an actual interview of the newly-widowed Mrs. Kennedy by Life journalist Theodore White (Billy Crudup), the movie's present occurs approximately one week after November 22, 1963, but jumps around in time to tell its story, hitting key events from Jackie's time as First Lady (with particular attention being paid to the televised White House tour she gave on February 14, 1962) and the hours and days immediately following the assassination.
Much of the film recreates iconic photographic images (such as LBJ taking the oath of office aboard Air Force One) with actors who, for the most part, bear little or no resemblance to the historical figures they're playing. And although the movie doesn't provide a lot of insight into Jackie's character, Portman's performance is probably one of the best of her career. "Jackie" is not an expansive biopic, and like Camelot, Jackie remains a mythic figure, not a human one.
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