Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

Chappaquiddick 

This film is a solid bio pic about Ted Kennedy followed by a standout performance by Jason Clarke. This film is about the accident that occurred in 1969 and the weeks that followed and this film is very informative and interesting followed by strong performances but that’s about it. This film didn’t wow me or make me want to see it again it just was interesting and some times that’s ok. 

First off, the performance from Jason Clarke as Ted Kennedy is outstanding he looks like him talks like him the resemblance is remarkable. He really pulls his weight in this film and is the best part of the film giving a career turning performance I haven’t seen Clarke give before. As well the Supporting cast also did a fine job as well most notably Ed Helms as Joe Gargan he too gives a different kind of performance that we haven’t seen before and gives in a solid supporting turn in this film. Those two performances are the best parts of this film the rest of the cast is great don’t get me wrong but it’s those two that stood out to me the most. 

Secondly, where this film falls short for me is it is a interesting story if your unaware of what happened but transferring it to the big screen it doesn’t create much suspense or things for you to grasp onto to keep you engaged. By this point their have been dozens of films about the Kennedys from Jackie to the small screen with the mini series the Kennedys we have soaked each drop of that family’s history for entertainment use dry so what dose this bring that’s not been talked about before. Sure the backstory of what happened that night with Ted was interesting and about his mental state afterward but that’s about it the film lacks much substance to really stand out or make it memorable compared to other bio pics out their. The only reason this film kept me watching was for the performances which isn’t a bad thing I would of liked more substance and something to keep me into it. 

Overall this film is a solid film about Ted Kennedy and the accident and controversy that surrounded him in 1969 but the film may loose your interests after the first hour as this film seemed more Suitable as a TV movie but keeps you watching due to the solid work from the actors. 

This film tells the story of the Night tragedy struck Ted Kennedy in 1969 when he accidentally fell of a bridge with his car with woman with him and fails to call the police straight away and has his personal and political life at stake

Rated PG - 13 : for thematic material, disturbing images, some strong language, and historical smoking

Jason Clarke : Jason gives truly great work here. Clarke has done sci-if with Terminator, and has dabbled into drama with Zero Dark Thirty and last years mudbound but I haven’t seen him nearly as engaging as he shows here. Clarke shows great range and great depth as Ted Kennedy in this film. He plays a man who’s struggling with living under his family’s shadow and also with his current situation and the way in which Clarke was able to convey that onscreen was terrific. First off he looked like Ted down to the suit the hair everything he even spoke like him he totally disappears into the role and gets under the skin of this man. While also doing that he really shows  his mentality from after the incident that really impressed me his ability to show emotion was powerful it’s never over the top or to subtle but just right. He was able to be heartbreaking and so many other colours of emotion that he dose greatly with great style. I’ve not seen Clarke delve so deep into a role like this before and show such commitment this is the kind of role I want to see Clarke in because he shows here he has great strength in serious material. He shows a heartbreaking performance of a man and the pressures that haunted him he is truly outstanding in this film showcasing one of his best performances in years and a true force to be reckoned with overall great work from Clarke. 

Ed Helms : Helms gives a career turning performance! Helms as many are aware is known for his more comedic line of work from this years Tag to were the millers the list goes on. But we’ve never seen him really sink his teeth into a meaty serious role like this and he needs to do more of this type of roles because he’s excellent in this genre. He plays a close friend of Ted Kennedy and is put under the pressure of having to keep all the secrets and protect him while also making sure he’s not hurt in the crossfire and Helms’s portrayal of this man was fantastic. He shows a different side of him we have not seen before with great emotional depth that left me amazed from what he shows onscreen. He has outburst of anger and can also have dry senses of humour but he makes it feel so genuine and real even just from the expression on his face he is one hundred and ten percent committed to every frame giving his all. I’ve never seen Helm tackle drama before but he did it greatly and should do so again as he shows here it’s his strong suit. He captivated me with his terrific supporting turn in this film that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of. 

John Curran : John captures a portrait of Ted Kennedy and the controversy around him in 1969 in a interesting style. I have not seen any previous work of John’s prior to viewing this film but after seeing this film I’ll say he is a good director who can helm a film but in a way I didn’t expect. I thought he would of shown a lot of more context to the incident but shows the aftermath which is what is to be expected and he did fine with his direction it’s just I felt he just scratches the surface and tells you what many people already know. If he could of shown more depth to not just Ted but the people around him more of his father and of Joe it would of been a more captivating film. I’m not saying it was bad direction but he had the potential to do so much better then what he shows onscreen. He got great performances from the cast and has a interesting take on the incident but merely just stretches the surface which also hurts the film as well. Overall John gives good direction that could of been better.