Jump directly to the content
JAMIE EAST AT THE MOVIES

Jackie is ‘tantalising’ thanks to Natalie Portman, whose portrayal of grief is as raw as it gets

Sun film critic says no actor should dare to take on the grieving First Lady again after Portman's stunning performance

NATALIE PORTMAN plays one of the world’s most iconic women very well indeed as this film shows there was far more to Jackie Kennedy than a pillbox hat and strange accent.

Loosely framed around an interview she gave to Theodore H White for Life Magazine, it details the timeframe between the first bullet being shot and the funeral of JFK.

 Natalie Portman plays an iconic figure beautifully in Jackie, a film which could earn her an Oscar nomination
6
Natalie Portman plays an iconic figure beautifully in Jackie, a film which could earn her an Oscar nominationCredit: Alamy

While the film is meticulous in its portrayal of the late Sixties, the political climate and the world’s shock at his assassination, JFK’s story is well-trodden ground, leaving little else to talk about here other than Portman’s performance.

Thankfully, it is worth screaming from the rooftops. She is magnificent.

Her portrayal of a woman experiencing the many layers of grief is as raw as it gets. Compound this with the etiquette, protocol and tradition of being America’s First Lady despite her husband’s body still being warm and you get to see one of our finest actresses at the very top of her game.

 'Her portrayal of a woman experiencing many layers of grief is as raw as it gets'
6
'Her portrayal of a woman experiencing many layers of grief is as raw as it gets'Credit: Alamy
 JFK's death is well-trodden ground having featured in other films, TV shows, and books, so it's fortunate Portman's performance is so brilliant
6
JFK's death is well-trodden ground having featured in other films, TV shows, and books, so it's fortunate Portman's performance is so brilliantCredit: Alamy
 Combining etiquette and protocol with the grief of losing a husband makes for a fascinating watch
6
 Combining etiquette and protocol with the grief of losing a husband makes for a fascinating watchCredit: Alamy

Much like Denzel Washington’s Malcolm X, I defy anyone else to take on this role again.

Flitting from thin-lipped primness to deranged selfassurance in a heartbeat, refusing to be the widow that hides away, wearing her husband’s brains on her Chanel suit like a defiant badge of honour - it’s all here, laid bare in the worst of circumstances.

 It will be difficult for other actors to take on Jackie Kennedy in the future - this is sure to become the iconic portrayal
6
It will be difficult for other actors to take on Jackie Kennedy in the future - this is sure to become the iconic portrayal
 Initially Sun critic Jamie found the film 'over-dramatised' but on reflection these moments may have been just as tense as this - which is 'tantalising'
6
Initially Sun critic Jamie found the film 'over-dramatised' but on reflection these moments may have been just as tense as this - which is 'tantalising'Credit: AP:Associated Press

 

There are many great scenes to relish - Jackie trudging through Arlington cemetery’ in her heels, a mourning video spying department stores unload hundreds of mannequins wearing her famous outfit are just a couple that spring to mind.

I was going to end on “Obviously dramatised, but no worse for it” before realising that this all probably happened exactly as is. Tantalising.

★★★★

Topics