CHAPPAQUIDICK
US, 2018, 107 minutes, Colour.
Jason Clarke, Ed Helms, Jim Gaffigan, Kate Mara, Bruce Dern, Olivia Thirlby, Clancy Brown.
Directed by John Curran.
It is surprising to find that this episode in the life and career of Senator Edward Kennedy, the last remaining son of tycoon and diplomat and powerbroker, Joseph Kennedy, has not been the subject of a feature film before this. Many documentaries, inquiries. In June 2019, it will be 50 years since the events portrayed.
Audiences have varied responses to members of the Kennedy family. There is great sympathy for President John F. Kennedy, the appeal of his personality, the speeches of idealism despite bungling of some of the confrontations, especially with Cuba in the 1960s, the impact of his assassination. Robert Kennedy also made a great impression as attorney general, advisor to his older brother, and then the impact of his assassination. The oldest brother, Joe, whom his father had destined for the White House was killed in action in World War II.
For many in the audience, 1969 will be something of past history if not ancient history. For those who remember the times, they may have strong views about Ted Kennedy and his behaviour at Chappaquidick. Audiences may not remember that the events and the death of political aide, Mary Jo Kopechne, happened at the very time of the moon launch and Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, a fulfilment of John F. Kennedy’s hopes, the seeming beginning of a new era for the human race – but was also a time of political unrest, Richard Nixon’s presidency, disaster for Americans in Vietnam, a transition from the enormous social changes of the 1960s.
The action of the film takes place over a week. Australian actor, Jason Clarke, with touches of make up that make him sometimes uncannily look like Ted Kennedy, and with his New England accent, gives a strong performance of a man who, at this stage of his life in crisis, seems a weak man. Ed Helms has a good role as his cousin and adviser, Joseph Gargan. Kate Mara has some scenes as Mary Jo Kopechne, Jim Gaffigan as the Massachusetts Attorney General and an advisor, Clancy Brown dominatingly ruthless as Robert McNamara?. Bruce Dern communicates the strong personality of Joseph Kennedy despite his being inarticulate, chair-ridden, because of a stroke.
The situation is re-created, an evening party, Ted Kennedy still morose about the death of his brother a year earlier, the memories of the President, the expectations of his father (which seem to be rather low). Some drinking, some brooding, giving a lift to Mary Jo Kopechne, the bad turning onto the bridge, the car going over the bridge, his escaping from the car and sitting on the bank, Mary Jo Kopechne drowning after some time trying to breathe the remaining air in the car. While the episode was an accident, Ted Kennedy’s behaviour was that of the hit-run driver, in denial, going to get friends to try to remedy the situation, promising to report the accident to the police but failing to do so, going to bed, having breakfast at the hotel with friends until he is confronted and has to act.
The screenplay has him saying to his friends as they arrive at the scene of the accident that he won’t be President in 1972. And, with ups and downs, with phone calls to his father, with a visit to his father, with all the legal advisers and political bosses trying to make the best of the scenario, continually sabotaged by statements released by the police to the press, changes to the story, and even Joe Gargan advising him to do the right thing and resign, he is weak.
The theme of the film is summed up by Gargan telling Ted Kennedy that his television broadcast to the people of Massachusetts in which he accepts responsibility for leaving the scene of the accident, should be seen as a situation of integrity and not of opportunity.
The film ends with people being interviewed about their views on Kennedy and his broadcast. There is a great deal of sympathy for the family. How much to forgive? How much to forget? In fact, Kennedy was re-elected to the Senate and the end of the film reminds us that he finished as being the fourth longest serving senator, contributing to the politics of the United States.
Chappaquidick raises issues of responsibility and blame, of authenticity in people from privileged backgrounds, issues of human weakness and possibilities for redemption.
1. A piece of American history? The 1960s? The history of the Kennedy family? Edward Kennedy? The title and audiences knowing about the events in the place? Those who lived through it? Chappie is a piece of old American history?
2. Massachusetts, the island, the beaches, the bridges? Hotels? The scenes at Hyannis Port, the Kennedy compound? Police precincts, the courts, the press? The advisers and their meetings? The musical score?
3. The portrait of Edward Kennedy, Jason Clarke and his performance, impersonation? The initial interview for the television, his statesmanlike behaviour and answers? Policy, politics and the tradition of the Kennedys? His three older brothers and their deaths, the effect on him? His father’s low opinion of him? The status of his father? In the Senate, his prospects, presidential nominations? Yet moody, relying on Joe Gargan, his cousin, the relationship and friendship? The party for Robert Kennedy’s supporters, the Boiler Room Girls? Thanking them? The personalities of these women, their working on campaigns? Mary Jo Copechne, Rachel? On the beach, the conversation? The grace and his experience, rivalries?
4. Mary Jo Copechne, in herself, her friends, spirit, campaign work, on local campaigns after the death of Robert Kennedy? On the beach, the party? Her return home, in the car, stopped in talking with Ted Kennedy, the police moving them on? The crash, into the water, seeing her struggling for air, her death? In the flashbacks? Her parents, Ted Kennedy phoning them, then having blame, the atmosphere of the funeral, the supporters, the priest, the Mass, seen consoling them?
5. Ted Kennedy and the crash, getting out of the car, sitting there, pensive? Going to find Joe and Philip, their dismay, at the scene, urging him to report the accident? Rolling across the bay? His return to, stunned, in bed, not telling anyone, the social breakfast and his reaction to being interrupted? His statement that he would not be Pres in 72? His motivations for not confessing? Week, issues of responsibility, Jo urging him to go to the police? His plan, stating that Mary Jo was driving?
6. The advisers, the number of them, their positions, Robert Mc Namara, Ted Sorensen, the doctor and his not examining? Lawyers? Legal issues, political issues, cover-up, seizing opportunities, the debates, the strong personalities? Avoiding issues of morality?
7. Ted Kennedy, his story, his eventually telling the truth, the police, in the office, phoning his father, making a statement? The advisers wanting it secret, the police releasing? The response of the media, the reports, the interrogations, James Reston, the inconsistencies of the report? The group still supporting a week Ted Kennedy?
8. The funeral, Joan Kennedy and the estrangement? The argument about wearing the brace, his looking foolish, admitting his mistake? His behaviour at the funeral, consoling Mary Jo’s parents?
9. The television interview, his idea, the preparation of the speech, written by Ted Sorensen? Joe Gargan, his dilemma is, wanting to pull out of supporting Kennedy? Ted Kennedy and the idea of resigning, encouraged by Jo? Jo writing the speech? Holding the cards, Kennedy not resigning? Joe Gargan and his comment on integrity rather than opportunity? His leaving?
10. Ted Kennedy, the phone calls to his father, visiting the home, his father disabled, not being able to speak, the stroke, in the wheelchair, slapping his son, disdain – yet watching the speech on television?
11. The interviewers with the people afterwards, actual interviews from the period, support Kennedy?
12. The impact of this episode at the time, Kennedy as a celebrity, treated differently from other people involved in accidents? And the impact on his career?
