THE TEDDY KENNEDY JNR STORY
US, 1986, 90 minutes, Colour.
Craig T. Nelson, Susan Blakely, Kimber Shoop.
Directed by Delbert Mann.
The Teddy Kennedy Jnr Story is an interesting and entertaining telemovie, based on the real experience of Ted Kennedy Jnr and his leg cancer and the amputation as well as his rehabilitation. The film gives a portrait of Senator Edward Kennedy - fairly sanitized for the popular audience but alluding to the tragedies and flaws in the family. The film is more direct about Joan Kennedy's alcoholism and her attempts to go through cures. This is background, however, for the story of the young boy faced with cancer and amputation and his attempts to literally to get on his feet again. The real Teddy Kennedy appears at the end of the film to make a plea to audiences for sympathy and understanding of people who are differently abled. Craig T Nelson is very good as Kennedy, Susan Blakely as Joan. Kimba Shoop is a credible Teddy Kennedy - and not unlike the real Kennedy who appears at the end. The film was directed by Delbert Mann, director of many telemovies as well as Oscar winner for Marty.
1. Interesting telemovie? For the wide audience? A true story? Another chapter in the Kennedy's story?
2. The Boston and Washington backgrounds? Virginia? The world of politics, the rich Kennedy family? Hospitals? Ireland? musical score?
3. The background of the Kennedys and audience knowledge of them, response to them? Edward Kennedy as the youngest of the brothers, as Senator, his political career, the mishaps? Joan Kennedy and the marriage, out of place in the Kennedy clan, her alcoholism and its reasons? Their family? How interesting the portrait of Senator Kennedy behind the scenes, as a man, father, husband? AS a politician? Joan Kennedy and her personality, the alcoholism, going to Switzerland? Her pessimistic response to her son's cancer? Her supporting her son? The glimpse of the other children in the family and family scenes?
4. Teddy Kennedy Jnr, his age, in the Kennedy family? School, football training and ambitions? Cousins and friends?? Ordinary young boy? The injuries, the doctors, the X-rays? Hospital? Taking of the TV away? The puzzle? His father explaining the reality to him - the hardest thing he ever did? The parents support? The leak, going to Ireland, being ill, the chemotherapy? His wanting to rejoin the group? Back at school? His courage?
5, The background of doctors and hospitals, meetings, discussions, communications to parents of the truth? Operations and treatment?
6. The making of the artificial limb? The use of such a limb? Technological improvements for people differently abled because of amputations?
7. The background of the Kennedy clan, Senators, politics? The media and photographs and interviews. Entertaining? Informative about cancer and treatment? Inspiring? The final scenes with the real Ted Kennedy.
