The final episode of the FX limited series “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” was released on Thursday, ending the show with a heartbreaking resolution. The series was adapted from author Elizabeth Beller’s biography, “Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy,” and stars Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, alongside co-star Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr.
The series portrays the struggles Bessette faces once marrying into the influential Kennedy family, dramatizing the relationship between the heavily publicized couple and their eventual tragic death in a 1999 plane crash.
A compelling aspect of the series is the nostalgic atmosphere of ‘90s Manhattan, and the couple’s identity as “The Golden Couple.” This is primarily due to JFK Jr.’s public childhood after the assassination of his father, President John F. Kennedy in 1963, and JFK Jr.’s eligibility as a bachelor, being named “PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive” in 1988 at 27 years old. His natural charisma is accompanied by the allure of the iconic chic style of Carolyn Bessette, a publicist for the luxury clothing brand Calvin Klein. Together, they have become a national fixation and spectacle due to their historical significance, drawing more viewers to watch the television series.
In the first few episodes, the couple has undeniable chemistry, although Bessette is initially disinterested. Kennedy’s persistence and charm eventually enamored Bessette as he continuously sent her flowers at Calvin Klein. The natural chemistry from the actors realistically depicts romance in a relatable way, with the series receiving praise for casting primarily unknown actors who resemble the real-life figures, instead of using star power.
Kelly has had unsuccessful auditions in the acting industry for almost two decades, with JFK Jr. being his breakout role into the industry. His performance was brilliant, even from the small creative choices, such as his ability to almost identically replicate the voice of the real-life JFK Jr. Another standout performance was Grace Gummer, who plays Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr.’s sister. After the death of her brother in the final episode, Caroline has lost every immediate relative, with her heartbreaking depiction of grief becoming a driving force for the tragic conclusion of the series.
Although the series is tastefully dramatized, it is not completely accurate to the real-life events and has been facing negative reactions from current members of the Kennedy family. The nephew of JFK Jr., Jack Schlossberg, said it was a “grotesque display” of his uncle and a cash grab for executive producer Ryan Murphy.
During an interview with CBS Monday Morning, Schlossberg said, “If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy.”
The show is also receiving backlash for its portrayal of American actress Daryl Hannah, an ex-girlfriend of JFK Jr. Hannah has publicly criticized the depiction of her character as false and exploitative, with the show presenting her as a cocaine addict, which Hannah denies.
Toward the end of the series, the couple’s marriage becomes tense due to the difficulties of being in the limelight. Their relationship comes full circle, with Kennedy inviting Bessette to the Indian restaurant where they had their first date in the beginning of the show. The lighting in both scenes is exceptional, covered wall to wall with colorful Christmas lights, restoring the exciting nature and chemistry their relationship had at the beginning of the series.
Even with criticism of the portrayal of characters, the series does what television is supposed to do: convey an emotional narrative of their whirlwind and tragic love story. Any show based on real-life events is not going to depict every moment and conversation with complete accuracy, so if the audience is simply there to enjoy the narrative, the nostalgic limited series is a compelling watch to relish.
