4 reviews
"American royalty" may not be technically correct, but such a qualifier is not wholly inappropriate when it invokes not only the notoriety but also the fascination and scrutiny to which every aspect of the lives of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their descendants have been subject. The passions they arouse are also very telling: evaluations of the Kennedys tend to fall somewhere on the scale between glorifications of a latter-day Camelot, and cynical exasperation with a band of hypocritical, womanizing, calculating "Massachusetts liberals." For all their very deep flaws, however, the Kennedy's Darwinian and cultural success does command very deep respect: there must be SOME virtuous sensibilities down there.
"The Kennedys of Massachusetts" portrays this integral picture quite well, incorporating the various strains and experiences that made Joe and Rose and their family into who they were. Central to the story is their Roman Catholic identity, to which they were both fervently attached and which they determined (and managed) to pass to their children. But the tension between Catholicism as expressed through Rose's more purely ultramontanist social, psychological and cultural mindset - which she transmitted to none of her children (Eunice a possible, partial exception) - and the ambitions of Joe to rise in WASP society are laid out here, quite skillfully. The film does not condemn Rose's staunch, sometimes brittle approach to her faith nor castigate Joe for his shirking of its finer points or of his numerous betrayals of the matrimonial covenant, but simply lays out the facts for what they are.
All the way, the grace and glamor of the Old vs. New World dynamic is undeniable. The major points in the marriage of Joe and Rose and the evolution of their children are chronicled very cohesively and convincingly. William Petersen and Annette O'Toole play their roles very well and have good chemistry; nevertheless, the scenes between O'Toole and Charles Durning (as John "Honey" Fitzgerald) steal the show, and his cynical recapping of Rose's religious and intellectual path early on turns out to a harbinger for the whole Kennedy political project. We are left at once admiring of the great accomplishments of Joe and the earnest if naïve and not wholly adroit quest for beauty on the part of Rose, if perhaps regretful that he could not have listened to her earlier: "You're a very successful and wealthy man at a young age; isn't that enough?" and spared his family so much of the agony that came as the price of their admission into Anglo-Protestant high society. (An uncharitable cynic might add, spare the U.S. of an incompetent president and an alcoholic road-unworthy senator. I'll let my readers judge for themselves.)
All the same, one ends the mini-series wanting to do something, wanting to beatify one's life. If entertainment can so inspire, perhaps it is not so indispensable as we sometimes suppose.
"The Kennedys of Massachusetts" portrays this integral picture quite well, incorporating the various strains and experiences that made Joe and Rose and their family into who they were. Central to the story is their Roman Catholic identity, to which they were both fervently attached and which they determined (and managed) to pass to their children. But the tension between Catholicism as expressed through Rose's more purely ultramontanist social, psychological and cultural mindset - which she transmitted to none of her children (Eunice a possible, partial exception) - and the ambitions of Joe to rise in WASP society are laid out here, quite skillfully. The film does not condemn Rose's staunch, sometimes brittle approach to her faith nor castigate Joe for his shirking of its finer points or of his numerous betrayals of the matrimonial covenant, but simply lays out the facts for what they are.
All the way, the grace and glamor of the Old vs. New World dynamic is undeniable. The major points in the marriage of Joe and Rose and the evolution of their children are chronicled very cohesively and convincingly. William Petersen and Annette O'Toole play their roles very well and have good chemistry; nevertheless, the scenes between O'Toole and Charles Durning (as John "Honey" Fitzgerald) steal the show, and his cynical recapping of Rose's religious and intellectual path early on turns out to a harbinger for the whole Kennedy political project. We are left at once admiring of the great accomplishments of Joe and the earnest if naïve and not wholly adroit quest for beauty on the part of Rose, if perhaps regretful that he could not have listened to her earlier: "You're a very successful and wealthy man at a young age; isn't that enough?" and spared his family so much of the agony that came as the price of their admission into Anglo-Protestant high society. (An uncharitable cynic might add, spare the U.S. of an incompetent president and an alcoholic road-unworthy senator. I'll let my readers judge for themselves.)
All the same, one ends the mini-series wanting to do something, wanting to beatify one's life. If entertainment can so inspire, perhaps it is not so indispensable as we sometimes suppose.
Have not seen it yet, but will try as research for a project. I therefore noticed there are apparently zero scenes with the *adult* Ted Kennedy. It may be a legal reason? Or creative? But with credible historian D. Kearns-Goodwin involved, I doubt it was simply an oversight. Li'l bro hustled hard for John's campaigns, and entered politics formally during the JFK presidency. So why ain't he in the miniseries. Very curious... esp. Since both Joe Sr. And John have generated more conspiracy theorists and printed ink than probably any pair in U. S. (or even world) history. [aside: Teddy's in a scene or two for my WIP historical novel "Murder In Birdland", about entertainers and criminals, esp. Boston and NYC, '59-63 ...if ya got any tea, spill it please?! -- at my blog, Marking Time... the Murder In Birdland tab ]
- mnielsen34-707-966858
- Oct 6, 2023
- Permalink
I have seen this Mini at least three times and have been impressed with its ambition. It attempts to cover almost the entire marriage of Rose and Joe Kennedy and does so with minimal confusion and clutter. While I had some trouble the first night following the action the rest seemed to be cohesive and entertaining.
William Peterson and Annette O'Toole are outstanding as Joe and Rose. Peterson's performance gives Joe Kennedy an evil undertone that is almost too hard to deal with. You lose respect for him as time goes on, particularly when it comes to the way in which he treats the women.
Charles Durning is fabulous as Rose's father "Honey Fitz", and there are also some interesting performances among the younger members of the cast, particularly Tracey Polan as Kick and Campbell Scott as Joe, Jr.
William Peterson and Annette O'Toole are outstanding as Joe and Rose. Peterson's performance gives Joe Kennedy an evil undertone that is almost too hard to deal with. You lose respect for him as time goes on, particularly when it comes to the way in which he treats the women.
Charles Durning is fabulous as Rose's father "Honey Fitz", and there are also some interesting performances among the younger members of the cast, particularly Tracey Polan as Kick and Campbell Scott as Joe, Jr.
I was an extra on one scene in this film. The staging area was the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End of Boston. The scene was filmed in a bar on Shawmut Ave around the corner (I don't remember the name of the bar).
The scene is where JFK enters the bar with a campaign aide who introduces him as "This is John Kennedy who's running for congress in the eleventh district." A guy at the bar says " Yeah, you and eight other guys." I'm the bartender who smiles and laughs in the background.
Prior to that I was an extra on "Dragnet" (the 1987 version with Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks and on "Hanoi Hilton" (I've posted a comment on Hanoi Hilton on this site).
The casting agency called me back for other productions but I had found other work which worked out well and now I'm retired and living in the Caribbean.
Working as an extra on three productions was a fascinating experience.
The scene is where JFK enters the bar with a campaign aide who introduces him as "This is John Kennedy who's running for congress in the eleventh district." A guy at the bar says " Yeah, you and eight other guys." I'm the bartender who smiles and laughs in the background.
Prior to that I was an extra on "Dragnet" (the 1987 version with Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks and on "Hanoi Hilton" (I've posted a comment on Hanoi Hilton on this site).
The casting agency called me back for other productions but I had found other work which worked out well and now I'm retired and living in the Caribbean.
Working as an extra on three productions was a fascinating experience.