Watch The Last Days of JFK Jr.
- 2019
- 1 hr 22 min
-
6.7 (16)
The Last Days of JFK Jr. is a documentary-style film that explores the final months of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s life before his tragic death in a plane crash in July 1999. The movie features interviews with close friends, family members, and experts, who share their insights and memories of JFK Jr. The film opens with footage of JFK Jr.'s wedding to Carolyn Bessette in 1996 and quickly delves into the events leading up to his fatal plane crash. Interviews with Christopher Andersen, the author of The Good Son: JFK Jr. and the Mother He Loved, shed light on JFK Jr.'s relationship with his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Andersen suggests that JFK Jr. grew up in the shadow of his iconic parents, and struggled to find his own place in the world.
Other interviewees, including Bob Arnot, a friend of JFK Jr., and Kyle Bailey, a journalist, discuss the media scrutiny that JFK Jr. faced throughout his life, particularly after his father's assassination in 1963. Bailey suggests that JFK Jr. was burdened by the expectations placed upon him, and that he struggled with a sense of purpose.
The film also touches on JFK Jr.'s professional career, including his founding of George magazine, which aimed to fuse politics and pop culture. Andersen suggests that George was JFK Jr.'s attempt to make a positive impact on the world, and to live up to his family's legacy. However, the magazine faced financial troubles and ceased publication after JFK Jr.'s death.
As the film progresses, it becomes clear that JFK Jr.'s relationship with his wife, Carolyn Bessette, was strained in the months leading up to their deaths. Interviews with friends and experts paint a picture of a troubled relationship, with Bessette struggling with substance abuse and depression. Andersen suggests that JFK Jr. was committed to saving his marriage, and had even considered quitting George magazine to focus on his family.
The film also explores the events surrounding JFK Jr.'s final flight, including the weather conditions on the night of the crash. Experts suggest that JFK Jr. may have become disoriented in the fog and lost control of the plane. The film includes footage of the search for JFK Jr.'s plane, and interviews with rescue workers who were involved in the recovery efforts.
Throughout the film, there is a sense of sadness and loss, as JFK Jr.'s friends and family members reflect on his life and legacy. The Last Days of JFK Jr. doesn't provide any grand revelations or sensationalized takes on JFK Jr.'s death, but instead offers a thoughtful and respectful examination of his life and the events that led to his untimely demise.
Overall, The Last Days of JFK Jr. is a moving tribute to a man who lived his life in the public eye, but who was also a son, a husband, and a friend. The film offers a glimpse into the complex and sometimes troubled life of JFK Jr., and reminds us of the impact that his death had on the world.