JFK
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
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  1. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Rick Groen
    25
    A three-hour oration, rambling and familiar and repetitive, during which director Oliver Stone uses the assassination of John Kennedy as an elaborate pretext for delivering a dull sermon. [20 Dec 1991]
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  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    20
    Stone's all-purpose conspiracy theory, built like a house of cards, rivals "Mississippi Burning" in its sheer crudeness and contempt for the audience.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. drlowdon
    7
    Three years after the assassination of John F Kennedy new evidence has come to light and District Attorney Jim Garrison decides to conduct an in-depth investigation into the President's murder unearthing a number of theories on the events that occurred.

    Based on the books "On the Trail of the Assassins" by Jim Garrison and "Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy" by Jim Marrs Oliver Stone’s J.F.K is let down slightly is in its inability to choose which conspiracy theory it supports. At least five are mentioned including the CIA, the mafia and weapons manufacturers meaning that even after the three hour running time viewers will be left none the wiser as to who might have actually been behind the assassination. Despite this it certainly presents a compelling case against the widely believed lone gunman theory and will certainly inspire some to delve a little deeper into that fateful day in 1963.    … Full Review »
  2. Compi24
    9
    Oliver Stone delivers the epic tale of Louisiana D.A. Jim Garrison and his crusade for the truth about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I've heard many different things about the legitimacy of "JFK", but it does bring up a series of valid questions surrounding Kennedy's murder. Everyone in this star-studded cast brought their A-game for "JFK". From Kevin Costner's commanding turn as Jim Garrison to Gary Oldman's dynamic portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald, the acting remains a flawless aspect of the film. Another aspect of the film I admired was the Oscar-winning cinematography. Cinematographer Robert Richardson does a stunning job at seamlessly integrating actual archive footage and mock archive footage into the film. He also does a fairly impressive job with lighting techniques in some more tense scenes. Overall, "JFK" struck a very powerful chord with me, and it remains a fairly provocative film that enforces that the power to question is one of the most effective abilities of the citizens of a country.… Full Review »
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