by Patrice Downing, Contributing Writer
If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be waking up early on a Friday morning to stream the series finale of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, I would have said you’re insane. What (or more appropriately, who) could possibly make an episodic biopic depicting a 26-year-old, media-saturated event, worth setting an alarm before sunrise on my day off to watch? Ryan Murphy, that’s what! Once again, Murphy and crew made me anxiously anticipate watching every new episode of a series, even though I already know how it ends. So, let’s go ahead and dive into what makes Love Story another addictive, ripped from the headlines, Murphy drama.
Like many of Murphy’s previous series, controversy over character depictions (Daryl Hannah is understandably unhappy about her characterization) paired with a sensationalized interpretation of events has generated buzz and Love Story is no different. I think it is so important while watching any biopic to stay cognizant of that fact: this is an adaptation, not a documentary. That’s why every episode begins with the disclaimer “This story is inspired by actual events. Certain depictions of people and events have been dramatized or fictionalized for storytelling purposes.” It speaks to the quality of attention to detail that the line between factual and fabricated is so easily blurred throughout this series. Beginning with the cast, every detail serves to envelop viewers in the decade depicted and surround them in the excitement of the era. Series creator Connor Hines and the executive producing team of Murphy, Nina Jacobson, and Brad Simpson plucked the perfect people to portray the iconic figures needed to tell this tale. Sarah Pidgeon is striking as former Calvin Klein fashion publicist and future Kennedy bride, Carolyn Bessette. As the story progresses, she does more and more of the heavy lifting, showing the evolution of a private citizen transitioning to one of the most recognizable and photographed people on the planet and the emotional toll it takes as every aspect of her life changes. One of the strongest aspects of the show is how it makes the audience see Carolyn as a real human being with insecurities, career ambitions, and anxieties concerning media coverage and the way it affects how her friends and family interpret her current life. None of that would come through as clearly without Pidgeon’s embodiment of the character and while this is fictional, it enlightens viewers to the possible reasons why Carolyn Bessette, a real-life person, may have been as reclusive and cautious with her press interactions. And the reason for all that intense paparazzi coverage: John F. Kennedy Jr. Casting such a universally known figure in pop culture could not have been easy. Someone who is already famous and recognizable may not be seen as the character; however, that is not a problem here. Paul Anthony Kelly 100% owns the screen stepping into the shoes of Kennedy. The cadence in his line delivery, the way he moves, and of course that smile all make his portrayal of the famous first son seamless. There are scenes mimicking televised events that when watched back-to-back are absolutely spot on in every detail. Kelly reenacting the George magazine launch press conference in particular is perfect in every way.
While a lot of this series’ success hinges on the chemistry and abilities of the actors in the title roles, equally important, and possibly more successfully executed, is setting the vibe and feel of Carolyn and John’s lives in ‘90s New York City. The song choices paired with the authentically dressed sets and costumes make it possible to almost hear pager beeps and smell CK One in the air. I could rave about the pains costume designer Rudy Mance, and his team, went through to ensure the visual accuracy of events depicted on screen was faithful to the source material all day long, oh that’s right I already have. If you are interested in a detailed breakdown of some of the finer points of the costuming efforts in episode six, The Wedding, I encourage you to check out the most recent Fact on Fiction article covering the documentary JFK Jr. and Carolyn’s Wedding: The Lost Tapes. In it I discuss how Mance and his crew used the 2019 film to recreate the fashions used in the episode. But it’s not just the clothing, accessories, cameras, bikes, cars, and furniture that transport you back in time to NYC but the absolutely banging song choices used throughout the series. Recognizable hits spanning several genres released from ‘92 through ‘95 catapulted me smack back to high school. Goo Goo Dolls, En Vogue, Annie Lennox, Radiohead, Fiona Apple, Madonna, Mazzy Star, Björk, The Cranberries, Duran Duran, and of course Sade are woven into the background in tandem with Bryce Dessner’s haunting original score, grounding viewers in the time period and sewing a cohesiveness between episodes.
Overall Love Story can be counted as another success in a growing collection of celebrity biopic series from Executive Producer Ryan Murphy. Detailed recreations paired with conflicts both embellished and fictionalized, pull you in and don’t let go until the final credits roll.
Rating: Loved It
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is currently streaming on Hulu
You can read more from Patrice Downing, and follow her on Serializd and Letterboxd