Truth
mixes with conjecture in Chappaquiddick,
a recreation of the events leading up to and the aftermath of the accident that
forever changed the political fortunes of ‘Ted’ Kennedy and claimed the life of
a Kennedy staffer.
On
July 18, 1969, as the country’s attention was on the first moon landing,
Senator Edward Kennedy (Jason Clarke), the last surviving Kennedy brother, has
aspirations to run for President. That
evening, at a party for volunteer staffers, Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne (Kate
Mara) take a late drive and their car falls off a bridge into water. Kennedy
saves himself, but Kopechne is trapped in the car and drowns. He makes his way
back to the party, and several hours pass by before the accident is reported
and the police investigate. As Kennedy’s team strategizes to counter
misstep after misstep, it begins to tear his family apart.
It
is remarkable how quickly the events unfolded in a matter of days, and while they
are faithfully recreated, one wonders how much of the movie is accurate. The
film is at its best when it shows how it comes down to a choice between doing
the right thing and saving a political career.
Clarke
is convincing as the beleaguered senator with the weight of family legacy on
his shoulders, but the material does not provide enough substance. The real star here is Ed Helms in strong
support as Kennedy confidant and adoptive brother; the talented comedian has
a bright future in dramatic roles.
More questions are
raised than answered
(like why did Kennedy wait hours to report the accident?), and the screenplay
never delves deeply into events nor do we learn much about Kopechne. Instead
we get some interesting facts and possibilities, but nothing more than any TV
special would reveal.
*** of ****
stars
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