What is so fascinating about John Curran’s Chappaquiddick is that this is a Kennedy clan tragedy that has never found its way to the silver screen prior to the film that hits theaters with Jason Clarke in the lead role as Ted Kennedy.
It was the summer of ’69 (and no Bryan Adams makes no mention of these events in his hit song!) and Kennedy was still mourning the murder of his brother Bobby from one year earlier and the assassination of his brother John six years prior. But, as all Kennedys do, he put his head down and put the pedal to the metal and worked his tail off in the most altruistic of ways… working as a senator to make the lives of his Massachusetts constituents and all Americans better.
Many had him penciled in as a lock to earn the Democratic Party nomination for president in 1972 and those same prognosticators held the firm belief that once again the leader of the free world would have a last name of Kennedy.
Then, he drove his car into the relatively shallow waters at Chappaquiddick, left the car and swam to safety — all with a campaign aide by the name of Mary Jo Kopechne stuck in the automobile, slowly drowning.
As Curran expertly shows in his latest film, Ted did everything wrong that he possibly could in those moments following the accident. He didn’t try to rescue Kopechne. He didn’t call for help once he reached shore. Kennedy returned to the scene with two of his close friends, Joe Gargan (Ed Helms) and Paul Markham (Jim Gaffigan). They dove into the waters and determined that Mary Jo had perished. They all made their way back to the party house where the fateful evening began and still not one call was made to the authorities. In fact, Kennedy would return to his hotel room and fall asleep and awake the next morning before he would call in the accident.
Not Kennedy’s finest moment on many levels, and as Curran illustrates methodically from a sensational script penned by Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan, there was clearly a cover-up. It was one that history has shown served the Massachusetts politician well. The only thing he suffered was the fact that there was no way he could win a national election. For the people of the Bay State, they would reelect him numerous times and he would go on to one extraordinary career in the U.S. Senate.
Chappaquiddick is a fascinating journey and one does not have to be a follower of politics, history or even have a passing interest in the Kennedy family to have a full-on appreciation for this powerfully choreographed, almost Shakespearian tragedy. What is most remarkable is how the filmmakers have made the moon a strong presence that literally and figuratively hangs over Ted as he navigates the treacherous waters that he has landed himself in.
That particular weekend, for most Americans, will forever be known as one of the highest triumphs in our history. We sent a man to the moon and he even walked on it. Of course, that was an accomplishment that was set in motion by President Kennedy. Curran masterfully juxtaposes the older brother’s triumph as the younger sibling is fighting for his political career and his freedom as it looks like he could emerge from this scandal with a manslaughter charge. There is even one shot that is remarkable (that Curran tells us about exclusively in our interview) in its ability to haunt the viewers soul. Ted is looking out over the water, the same waterway where a woman died because of his actions. Hanging over him in the top left corner of the screen is the moon… all lit up, almost taunting the senator. It is a powerful moment, and one of many in Chappaquiddick.
Casting Clarke may have seemed like a risky move. The Australian, when hair and make-up was done with him, shared an uncanny look with the late legend. Clarke also brought every tool he has in his actor’s toolbox to the challenge and triumphed in every way possible. He humanizes the situation and every emotion that Kennedy must have felt during that week in July is channeled brilliantly. Until this point, the actor has been given some decent roles to showcase his prowess (such as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Terminator Genisys), but not too many that allows him to go deep. Casting professionals take note because history will look at Clarke’s career in two parts… pre-Chappaquiddick and post-Chappaquiddick. I would venture to say that this is a performer that could have Oscar nominations heading his way.
Another casting triumph is Helms as Kennedy’s best friend and Gaffigan as another pal. Both known for their comedic work, each gives a dramatic and deeply moving turn that in many ways provides the moral compass for the film itself. Also knocking it out of the park is Bruce Dern as the Kennedy patriarch, Joe. In the little screen time he has, Dern delivers a riveting performance that allows us to not only see why Ted was the way he was, but also sheds light into the histories of all the Kennedy clan.
Curran once again delivers a film that is tightly put together. There are no wasted scenes, no unnecessary exposition. Every single moment on film serves a purpose to move the story forward, add emotional power to the entire entity and enlighten, educate and yes, entertain all who chose to experience that 1969 weekend that would change not only a Kennedy’s fate, but the country’s future as well.
Grade: A