Search - RFK on DVD

A fair portrayal

Trevor Seigler | South Carolina | 11/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first caught this movie on FX when it premiered, and I hoped that more people will see it now that it's on DVD. The movie is concerned with Bobby Kennedy's evolution after his brother's death in 1963, and Linus Roache does a convincing job of playing the late man (He and the actor who played RFK in Thirteen Days are the two best I've seen at this difficult acting job). Being something of a RFK buff, I found this film moving and worth watching. In this time of politicians who cater to the lowest common denominator (on both sides of the aisle), we need to look back on men like Bobby Kennedy, who genuinely cared about the underdogs of American society and was killed in the midst of his greatest act of compassion. One of these days, people will recognize RFK as the best man who was never elected President. This movie is a good start for anyone wondering "what all the fuss was about". I recommend it"

The political thriller to end all political thrillers

Robin Orlowski | United States | 10/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this screenplay, we see a man so haunted by the (presumably preventable) spectere of his older brother's death that he litterally becomes a whole new person in the aftermath.

The young communist inquisitor who once was friends with Wisconsin Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy (as was JFK)consequently became the devout champion of the underclass. Whether it was minorities, the poor, students or some other group, the 'new' Bobby was sincerely committed to ensuring everybody could (and did) participate in the American dream.

What makes this transformation all the more magical is that a campaign consultant did not make the suggestion (and given how little some of these groups could financially contribute while their association simmutaeneously could have caused big political stigmatization, perhaps attempted to talk him out of these very same actions). It is to RFK's credit that he ultimately stood his own ground and took the road much less traveled in American politics.

Because I came of age in the post-watergate generation, I am accustomed to candidates (regardless of political ideology and/or party) appearing replete with slick demeanor's. The rattling of RFK's psyche following Dallas 1963 ultimately produced a folksy demeanor that even Jimmy Carter ultimately had failed to replicate during his presidential candidate and presidency.

If his own fate were different, Kennedy easily would have become the 20th century's second most influential president---immediately after fellow Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt."

Pretty Good

Rod Rogers | Midwest | 09/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is about RFK's life without JFK. Mostly throughout his political career RFK did what was in the best interest of his brother and not himself. He played the cruel, conniving younger brother. However, after November 22, 1963, all that changed. He no longer had anyone to protect and now he had a chance to be himself. This film magnificently shows the "real" Bobby. Not ruthless and devious, but brave and honest. A man who "could get things done." It also shows a sad and tormented Bobby. A man so devestated by his brother's death that he sees visions of him, all the way up to his own assassination. Linus Roache and James Cromwell do a great job portraying RFK and LBJ respectively. Minor characters like Ethel and Ted Kennedy don't seem to be the Kennedys America's come to know, but overall the casting is good and so is the movie."

Good movie about a man who sought change...

O. Rios | Texas | 10/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"RFK is a good movie.
the music is good, the story line, and the actors are all awsome.
Mr. Roache played a very good and very convincing Bobby Kennedy who is at a crossroads with the death of his brother, Jack Kennedy.

the movie shows just how distrought Bobby really was and still how much the death of his brother bothered him. The film implies to a good extent that Bobby did in fact feel responsible for his brother's death, and the spirit of JFK tells Bobby that.

I like the views from the spirit of JFK, who only Bobby can see, because it makes Bobby that much more human. He wanted to do good things, he really did. He sought another view, possibly putting an end to the war in Vietnam, he sought to help out poor people, minorities, and fought for values more than for votes.

Bobby really turned over a leaf from attack dog as Attorney General to a really good man who wanted to do good things, but a bullet ended that dream. The ending speech and the train ride footage ends the movie perfectly cause it feels like a metaphor for the life of Bobby Kennedy. He touched and moved so many people in his short 42 years of life, and still today inspires a whole new generation.

great movie on Bobby Kennedy, i only wish there was special features like commentary and stuff like that.
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