Killing Kennedy (film)

Killing Kennedy is 2013 American television film, based on the 2012 non-fiction book of the same title by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, and starring Rob Lowe, Will Rothhaar, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Michelle Trachtenberg. The movie dramatizes the presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy, as well as the life of Lee Harvey Oswald in the years leading up to the assassination.

Killing Kennedy
Promotional poster for the US premiere
GenreDocudrama
Based onKilling Kennedy
by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
Written byKelly Masterson
Directed byNelson McCormick
StarringRob Lowe
Will Rothhaar
Ginnifer Goodwin
Michelle Trachtenberg
Music byGeoff Zanelli
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerLarry Rapaport
CinematographyStephen St. John
EditorAdam Wolfe
Running time92 min (net runtime)
Production companyScott Free Productions
Release
Original networkNat Geo US
Original release
  • November 10, 2013 (2013-11-10) (US)

It premiered in the US and Canada on National Geographic Channel on November 10, 2013,[1] followed by the various European National Geographic channels a few days later.[2][3][4][5][6] It was first shown on terrestrial TV in the UK by Channel 4 on November 23. 2013.

Plot summary

The plot follows the rise of John F. Kennedy (Rob Lowe) as he becomes President of the United States. As Kennedy's career shapes, Lee Harvey Oswald (Will Rothhaar), a former Marine, begins to grow disillusioned with America. Their paths ultimately cross and results in Oswald's assassination of Kennedy.

Main cast

Production

After the success of Killing Lincoln, National Geographic Channel announced it would produce a film adaptation of Killing Kennedy.[7][8] In May 2013, it was announced that Rob Lowe was to play President John F. Kennedy, Ginnifer Goodwin would play First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy,[9][10] and Michelle Trachtenberg would portray Lee Harvey Oswald's wife Marina Oswald.[9] Goodwin used intimate photos to better portray Jackie Kennedy and was concerned "to do her justice and to play her as accurately as possible without ever doing an impression of her."[11] Costar Rob Lowe said of seeing Goodwin in the pink Chanel suit, "It made it real. If I were under any illusions about what we were doing, seeing her in that iconic moment was, I would say, sobering."[12] While portraying Marina Oswald, Trachtenberg consulted her Russian-born mother for help in speaking Russian.[13] Filming took place in Richmond, Virginia.[10][12]

Reception

On its original airing, it drew in 3,354,000 viewers, averaging a 1.1 rating with adults in the 25-54 demographic. The viewership broke the record previously held by Killing Lincoln which averaged 3,351,000 viewers.[14]

Critical response

Killing Kennedy received mixed reviews from both viewers and critics.[15][16][17][18] On Rotten Tomatoes the series holds an approval rating of 56% based on 18 reviews, with an average of 5.9/10.[19] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 55 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[20]

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominee Result
2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Movie/Miniseries Killing Kennedy Nominated
Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Television Film Nelson McCormick Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Rob Lowe Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award Long Form – Adaptation Kelly Masterson Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Television Movie Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie Stephen St. John Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Miniseries Or A Movie William Britt, Mark Linden & Tara Paul Nominated

References
  1. "TV listings, November 10, 2013, at 8:00pm: Killing Kennedy". National Geographic Canada. Retrieved 24 Nov 2013.
  2. "TV listings, November 12, 2013, at 9:00pm: Killing Kennedy". National Geographic UK. Retrieved 24 Nov 2013.
  3. "TV listings, November 17, 2013, at 22:00: Killing Kennedy". National Geographic Denmark. Retrieved 24 Nov 2013.
  4. "TV listings, November 17, 2013, at 22:00: Kennedy-mordet". National Geographic Sweden. Retrieved 24 Nov 2013.
  5. "TV listings, November 20, 2013, at 20:40: Killing Kennedy". National Geographic France. Retrieved 24 Nov 2013.
  6. "TV listings, November 22, 2013, at 21:05: Killing Kennedy". National Geographic Germany. Retrieved 24 Nov 2013.
  7. "Bill O'Reilly's 'Killing Lincoln' Sets NatGeo Ratings Record". Inquistir, Ld. The Inquistir. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  8. Hibberd, James (February 18, 2013). "'Killing Lincoln' gives NatGeo record ratings". Entertainment Weekly Inc. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  9. Hibberd, James (May 28, 2013). "Rob Lowe to play JFK in Nat Geo movie". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  10. Barnes, Bronwyn (June 20, 2013). "Who makes a better Jackie Kennedy: Ginnifer Goodwin or Katie Holmes? -- POLL". Entertainment Weekly.
  11. Truitt, Brian (November 10, 2013). "Ginnifer Goodwin channels Jackie Kennedy's intimate side". USA Today.
  12. "'Killing Kennedy': Co-star Ginnifer Goodwin says Rob Lowe was channeling JFK". Fox News. November 8, 2013.
  13. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/michelle-trachtenberg-speaks-russian-kennedy-article-1.1509071
  14. O'Connell, Michael (November 11, 2013). "TV Ratings: 'Killing Kennedy' Edges Past 'Killing Lincoln' Record With 3.4 Million Viewers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  15. Carson, Tom (November 8, 2013). "The GQ Review: Killing Kennedys Is Way More Fun Than The Zillion Other JFK Biopics". gq.com.
  16. Miller, Bruce (November 9, 2013). "Review: 'Killing Kennedy' offers respectful but grating view of assassination". siouxcityjournal.com.
  17. Lloyd, Robert (November 8, 2013). "Review: 'Killing Kennedy' is not the stuff of legend". Los Angeles Times.
  18. Lowry, Brian (November 5, 2013). "TV Review: 'Killing Kennedy'". Variety.
  19. "Killing Kennedy (2013)", Rotten Tomatoes, retrieved 2019-05-27
  20. "Killing Kennedy reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
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