Chappaquiddick

Political thrillers may tend to be complicated and arouse restlessness in audiences who don’t appreciate the genre, but this film which is based on the incredible true story of the Kennedy cover-up, is intriguing and should stimulate controversy.

In 1969, US senator Ted Kennedy accidently drove his car off a one-lane bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, which resulted in the death of 28 year-old political strategist Mary Jo Kopechne. He left the scene and didn’t report the accident for nine hours. Through his scandalous deception he tarnished the name of America’s most celebrated political family.

Audiences will debate, should he have been permitted to continue as a US senator? Was his sentence justifiable?

Australia’s Jason Clarke redeems himself after his involvement in the disastrous horror flick Winchester, his portrayal of Ted Kennedy finally showcasing his acting prowess and cementing his future in Hollywood.

Kate Mara shines in the role of Kopechne, whose screen time is predominantly in flashback scenes and Bruce Dern’s brief but effective role as the elderly Joe Kennedy is a stand-out performance of his career.

This extraordinary film aside from detailing the facts of the case showcases that regardless of social standing nobody is infallible and that most importantly, the law can be perplexing at times. (MMo)

★★★★