Maureen Callahan on JFK Jr. Series: "Love Story" Misses the Truth

Criticisms of the "Love Story" Series

• 🎯 The series "Love Story" on FX and Hulu is criticized for its casting, with the actor playing JFK Jr. deemed not attractive enough and lacking the "it factor" that the real JFK Jr. possessed.
• 💡 Carolyn Bessette is also described as having a distinctive look that the actress portraying her does not capture.
• 🎭 The dialogue in the series is called out as clunky and unsophisticated, particularly in scenes attempting to establish relationships.

Portrayal of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

• ⚡ The series touches on JFK Jr.'s struggles, including flubbing the bar exam twice, and his public persona as a "hot guy looking for a good time with a great name."
• 💔 It's suggested that both JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were deeply damaged and obsessed with physical perfection to mask internal messiness.
• 🌟 The "it factor" that made them compelling is described as something that cannot be manufactured, leading to a disconnect in the series' portrayal.

Ryan Murphy's Directorial Style and Themes

• 👻 The title sequence is described as creepy, with ghostly apparitions moving slowly, reflecting a cultural fascination with death and the macabre.
• 📺 Ryan Murphy is accused of a dark, potentially misogynistic approach, with a specific criticism of blaming Carolyn Bessette for the plane crash due to her alleged tardiness.
• 🎭 The series is seen as a glossy, soapy version of a much stranger, darker, and weirder real story.

Misogyny in Media and Storytelling

• 🎬 The discussion extends to other creators like Taylor Sheridan and David Chase, questioning their portrayal of women.
• ⚠️ Sheridan's characters in "Yellowstone" and "Land Man" are criticized for depicting women as unlikable, problematic, or victims of assault.
• 📺 The Sopranos' depiction of a female character's rape is discussed as a gratuitous and potentially enjoyable violation by the creator.

Portrayal of Jackie O

• 🖼️ The depiction of Jackie O in the series is called a "desecration," particularly a scene where she dances with a large portrait of JFK while dying of cancer, drunk and chain-smoking.
• 🎭 This scene is highlighted as an example of the series not going for accuracy and being typical of Ryan Murphy's style.