In-Class Write (Jackie)

1. Throughout the film “Jackie” the importance of History was highlighted, especially by the main character, Jackie B. Kennedy. The film includes scenes of the broadcast Jackie did on a tour of the White House. The film included real scenes of the broadcast and reenactments, played by actress Natalie Portman. In the broadcast Jackie showed the world renovations, and significant historical pieces she had found and placed in the White House . The purpose of Jackie's renovations were to bring history back to the White House. In the film “Jackie” Natalie Portman stated “Before we moved here there was hardly any history in the house before 1902”. The film included Jackie’s tour (played by Natalie) of lincoln's room, where she showed many pieces of furniture she had acquired. One piece she included was an original copy of the Gettysburg Address, signed and written by President Lincoln. Later in the film the character Bobby Kennedy (played by Peter Sarsgaard) mentioned how powerful he felt Lincoln's room was, because it was a place where a paper that abolished slavery was signed. The film goes on to talk about many other pieces of furniture and the history behind those pieces. Furthermore the film “Jackie” helps one to learn about significant events which took place, through Jackie Kennedy and the history she brought to the White House. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and and Museum shows how important history was to Jackie when they state, “throughout her life, Jacqueline Kennedy sought to preserve and Protect America's cultural heritage.”

2. The film did a great job of including significant historical events that took place in the United States, but left out important information on the focus of the film, President John F. Kennedy. While Kennedy's presidency was cut short by a horrific assassination, many people do not know how much he truly accomplished in his lifetime. As a kid Kennedy suffered from horrible illness and almost died of Malaria. Kennedy graduated from Harvard university where he played football. He suffered back injuries from football which pained him the rest of his life, yet he persevered through it. President Kennedy later enlisted in the army and was assigned to the South Pacific as commander of a patrol torpedo boat. He later received the Purple Heart and Navy and Marine Corps medal for leading his crew to safety after their boat was sunk by a Japanese destroyer. In 1946, after Kennedy recovered from his injuries, he was elected congressman from Massachusetts. He later served three terms in the United States House of Representatives. Then he defeated Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. in a close race for senator. He then married Jacqueline Bouvier in September of 1953, and they had three children together, one of whom died two days after birth do to a lung alignment illness. Kennedy then had to go through multiple back surgeries, and during this time he wrote a book. The book was titled “Profiles in Courage,”and was published in 1956. This book became a bestseller, and won the Pulitzer prize in 1967. Finally in the year of 1960 he defeated Richard Nixon by a narrow margin and became the Nation's Youngest President ever elected. In his inaugural speech he won over the nation by encouraging them to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” During his presidency the world came to the brink of a nuclear war with the Cuban Missile crisis, which was averted when the soviets withdrew their nuclear arms. Kennedys time was cut short, therefore he did not seem to achieve much in his presidential years. However, I learned just how much he had achieved through research.

3. If I could add another twenty minutes to the film “Jackie”, I would incorporate more about Kennedy. The film goes back and forth through flashbacks; including Jackie’s exclusive interview with an unnamed journalist, Kennedy's assassination, and the steps Jackie took after Kennedy's assassination. However, the film would be much more heartbreaking and engaging to the viewer if it included scenes with President John F. Kennedy and his life in it. Kennedy accomplished so much and the film should give the world a chance to see that. I think scenes with Kennedy should be included in the very beginning of the film, and from there it should go into the flashback scenes.