Reviewing FX's Love Story: JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette & 90s Culture

Exploring the FX Series 'Love Story'

• 💡 Discussion focuses on the first three episodes of FX's "Love Story," previously titled "American Love Story," which centers on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
• 🎯 The show is compared to "The People v. O.J. Simpson" due to its period detail and focus on real figures, but questions arise about its thematic depth compared to the O.J. trial.
• 🔑 The series aims to explore the Kennedy family legacy and the immense public pressure on JFK Jr., who was seen as a symbol of hope and a potential resurrection of his father's image.

Character Portrayals and Chemistry

• 🎭 Sarah Pidgeon's performance as Carolyn Bessette is highlighted as endlessly watchable and a potential "calling card," capturing her magnetic yet closed-off personality.
• 🌟 Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr. is praised for his portrayal of a "crown prince" struggling with public expectations and personal desires, despite being cast late in production.
• 💔 The chemistry between Carolyn and JFK Jr. is considered pitch-perfect, particularly in scenes depicting their slow-burn courtship and emotional connection.

Critiques of Supporting Characters

• ⚠️ Naomi Watts' portrayal of Jackie Kennedy Onassis is seen as overly prominent and reminiscent of previous adaptations, with dialogue that feels unnatural for a mother-son conversation.
• 😬 Daryl Hannah's character is described as having a "thankless role," often appearing as a "jump scare" and shouldering blame for relationship tensions.
• 🐶 The inclusion of the dead dog anecdote is noted as a strange, yet historically accurate, plot point that feels forced into the narrative.

Nineties Context and Legacy

• 📸 The series explores 1990s culture, including fashion trends, the rise of paparazzi, and the era's pre-9/11 optimism, with a focus on Calvin Klein's role in the fashion world.
• ⚖️ The show's use of sources like Elizabeth Beller's book and Michael Bergen's memoir is discussed, raising questions about the accuracy and perspective of Carolyn's characterization.

The Show's Narrative Approach

• 📈 The narrative choice to start with the plane crash and then flash back is noted, with the show framing JFK Jr. and Carolyn's relationship as a "love story" heading towards reconciliation.
• 🤔 Questions are raised about the structural messiness of the early episodes and whether the series will find a tighter focus as it progresses, especially after Jackie O's diminished role.