Parkland
Starring Zac Efron, James Badge Dale
Directed by Peter Landesman
Forgoing the usual conspiracy theories surrounding the tragic story of the JFK assassination, director Peter Landesman strives for accuracy in Parkland but falls short in crafting a consistent narrative.
Still, credit must be given to the films gritty attention to detail and intriguing premise.
Parkland recounts the events, in painstaking detail, immediately following that fateful November day in Dallas from multiple perspectives including the U.S. Secret Service, the Parkland Hospital medical staff, who tried in vain to save Kennedy, and even clothing manufacturer Abraham Zapruder (Paul Giamatti), whose home video recording of the event proved to be indispensable evidence through the decades.
The main issue with the story is just how strong the first half is, giving it a top-heavy feeling.
Once the audience recovers from the unrelenting tension of doctors frantically trying to revive the man and all manner of authorities scrambling across town as lockdown ensues, its impossible to ever hit such notes again in the film.
Thankfully, Parkland is chock full of so many great actors, its easier to overlook the lopsided structure.
Giamattis Zapruder is downright brilliant while scene stealer James Badge Dale adds some emotional complexity to Robert Oswald Jr. (the infamous snipers brother).
Unfortunately the playing field becomes rather crowded and some heavy hitters like Marcia Gay Hardens no nonsense head nurse and Jackie Earle Haleys stately priest get lost in the shuffle.
Parkland succeeds as an engaging depiction of a story told countless times before but never quite sustains its gripping early momentum.
