Fresh and Exciting

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I can't recall having ever given any film, mini-series or TV series a '1' out of 10 before... and sadly I can't here. There is just barely enough good here to warrant a '4'. However, if ever any production deserved it, this one probably does. The casting is, for the most part, abominable. The acting is generally stiff and unsure. The attempts at accents are atrocious and laughable. The portrayal of Marilyn Monroe is bizarrely comic at best and insulting to both Monroe and the audience at worst.Jill Hennessy does have a few solid moments as Jackie, but not nearly enough to carry this painfully disjointed soap opera. Lauren Holly's Ethel would be more believable in a trailer park than Washington and Hyannisport. Leslie Stefanson's Joan is interesting and is easily the best of the three women's portrayals.The portrayal's of the Kennedy men are all weak and unconvincing. The only plus with the Kennedy men is that they are not on screen very often.Historically, it runs wild with rumor, innuendo, supposition and ignores many facts as they have been recorded by serious and knowledgeable historians. Sadly what could have been a tastefully done classic instead just reeks of the two-bit paperback hacks who wrote this tripe.I will say that the 2nd half of this mini-series is distinctly better than the first half. Unfortunately, by the time the 2nd half rolls around, it's way too late to save it overall.Another issue it has that seriously detracts from it coming across as a quality production is a very strong sense of being constantly 'rushed'. It literally speeds from one tragedy to another with no opportunity for the viewer to take in any real sense of sorrow. Oddly enough, despite my feeling that this isn't a very good production as it is, I think it would have probably benefit from an additional 90 minutes. This would have allowed the viewer a real chance to get to know and empathize with the characters.One exceptional line does rise above all others in this otherwise dismal program and it is delivered by Charmion King (as Rose Kennedy): "Great men have great flaws. It takes great women to accept them." This is as close as this film ever comes to being anything close to great.For those who want a strong, clear sense of some of this subject matter with first rate acting, writing and true 'Camelot' style, watch 'Kennedy', the 1983 production with Martin Sheen and Blair Brown. Sheen is very strong as Kennedy and Blair Brown is nothing short of brilliant as Jackie. The supporting cast is exceptional. The only serious weakness of that production is Vincent Gardenia's over the top portrayal of J Edgar Hoover. This is now available on DVD.In closing, all I can say is that with this much incredible material how could those involved have made... this?

what a bad casting director can produce. Daniel Hugh Kelley as JFK ranks up there in the worst 5 imitations of JFK, attempting a Boston accent, attempting charm, attempting charisma, and achieving none of the above.In fairness, this is TV, and Jill Hennessey more than balances out his poor performance as Jackie Kennedy; she looks and acts very much the part; if you are a fan of hers you may still be able to enjoy her in this film.Lauren Holly plays Ethel Kennedy as a brash, crude, ugly American. I can honestly say I don't know if she really was like this, but it almost seems like defamation of character. Calling President Johnson a "crude redneck" after learning her husband will not accompany him as Vice President in the White House- please- The script seems almost subversive.Harve Presnell is believable as elder Joseph Kennedy, and there are some interesting scenes between him and Ms. Hennessey, the only redeeming performances in this TV movie. Leslie Stefanson is also touching as Joan Kennedy, and Matt Letscher looks the part of Ted Kennedy as a young man.The worst casting (besides JFK), was of Marilyn Monroe. Sarah Lafleur is a bloated blow-up doll, and portrayed as a brainless alcoholic. She looks nothing like her, and cannot act. Also the character portraying Ari Onassis is a pale example of what the Greek shipping-magnate must have been like.This is a four hour TV movie, and if you like Hennessey, tune in toward the middle. The rest is not worth watching.

One of the wonders of the past century in this country has been the adoration of the Kennedys which has been the equivalent of the fuss some nations display over their royals. Personally I do not think most people realize how inept J.F.K. really was. He claimed to have written "Why England Slept" which was actually written by old Joe's friend at the New York Times, Arthur Krock. He also accepted the Pulitzer for "Profiles in Courage" which was written for him by his "good soldier", Ted Sorensen. Khruschev has so little respect for him that he took a chance and placed nukes in Cuba. J.F.K. finally got them removed but the public did not know we had to take our nukes out of Turkey to complete this deal. This movie does show some part of the alleged "Camelot" and the lives of the Kennedy women. Jackie is shown with her love of money and Ehtel is portrayed as being a bit more stern than most of us had always believed. The real victim in this is Joan who comes out as being overwhelmed by the entire scene in Washington and Cape Cod. There have finally been some great books printed on this era and maybe we are blessed as a nation to have survived the Kennedys.

"Jackie, Ethel, Joan" was one of the greatest mini-series I have ever seen. I especially loved the actresses picked to play the parts of Jackie, Ethel and Joan. Lauren Holly showed what a truly versatile actress she is, as did Jill Hennessy. They were amazing! I've never seen Lauren Holly in a role like this she was so funny and the real voice of the family. Jill Hennessy was great as Jackie she resembeled her so much and her acting was phenomenal, she really got everyone into the character and the pain Jackie went though. This was the first time i saw Leslie Stefanson in a movie and she was great! I never knew much about Joan Kennedy and she just showed a lot of feeling, she showed that Joan cared too much and that probably led to her and Ted divorcing. The men in this movie were great too, especially Bobby, he was so strong and it showed me a lot insite to a time when i was not born and i really enjoyed it. This movie was so amazing that hopefully they will sell it on video, because i would watch it over and over.