Posted on 04/07/2018 7:15:58 AM PDT by MarvinStinson
In a New York Times op-ed published Friday, a liberal journalist and film critic complained the new film Chappaquiddick was a "character assassination" of its central character, Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy.
"How ‘Chappaquiddick’ Distorts a Tragedy" wrote Neal Gabler, who is working on a biography of Kennedy.
Gabler complained the film, released in theaters Friday, has been "heavily promoted by conservative media outlets, and reviewers across the political spectrum have praised what they deem its damning but factual approach. Damning it is; factual it is not."
There actually was no "cover-up" of Kennedy's car accident that led to the death of an aide, he claims, adding that "no one but the most lunatic conspiracy theorists see this as anything but a tragic accident in which nothing much was covered up."
Chappaquiddick tells the story of a car accident that occurred on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts in 1969. The accident was caused by Kennedy's negligence and resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, who was trapped inside the vehicle. The screenwriters have said their efforts in making the film aren’t partisan and they aimed to tell the facts of the story.
Gabler doesn't actually point to any factual errors in the film (save for the fact that Joe Kennedy, confined to a wheelchair by a stroke, likely wouldn't be able to grunt one-word dialogue like he does in the film). Instead, his criticism is limited more to the depiction of Kennedy as a character.
"In this version, the Kennedy character leaves Kopechne to die as she gasps for air, and then, with the aid of his brothers’ old advisers, cooks up a scheme to salvage his presidential ambitions. A more callow, cunning, cowardly and self-interested yet moronic figure you couldn’t find," he wrote.
Gabler claimed Kennedy actually felt "deep remorse and responsibility," and eventually grew to be "an indispensable legislator whose achievements included the 18-year-old vote, the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Children’s Health Insurance Program."
"It is very possible that over time, through the osmosis of social media, the despicable Kennedy of this movie will eradicate the honorable if flawed real one," Gabler wrote.
A whoremaster from a family of whoremasters as my Grandma used to say.
I saw the film yesterday. While it is a dramatization, the script is factual and well balanced. It is not character assassination to point out that Ted Kennedy behaved in a cowardly manner and that Mary Jo Kopechne probably could have been saved if he had acted responsibly.
My only two criticisms of the film are these: 1) The movie made little reference to the fact that there was a house with a telephone within easy walking distance of the bridge. Kennedy walked by it without stopping to have a call placed to summon help; 2) the closing titles of the movie suggest that Kennedy subsequently became a mature and responsible adult and a model statesman as a result of Chappaquiddick — there is ample evidence that this characterization is largely untrue.
Being a Democrat means being for death of life and death of individual freedom. Wise up, Americans...this current Democrat Party needs to be destroyed politically, from top to bottom!!!
From Chappaquiddick (Murderer, Democrat, Ted Kennedy) to Broward County Florida, innocents were murdered and slaughtered because of the failure of Democrats to protect the innocent (Sheriff Scott Israel & the FBI)
Wake & Wise-up, Americans...Democrats care only for themselves...not any of you!!!
One must have character before it can be assassinated. Clearly, he did not. Call this an expose’.
A character so small, it could be assassinated with spitballs!
They r blinded by the fkg TRUTH about this pompous POS.
“...honorable, if flawed...” Bwaaaaahahahahahahaaa. These morons have no shame.
Ironic. Sympathy for a white privileged politician guilty of wrongful death, negligence, and drunk driving.
NYT are shills for the swamp and the deep state.
Teddy is the poster child for the untouchable, too big to jail deep state swamp creature. In effect, he is emblematic of current swamp creatures that have committed crimes at the FBI, DOJ, 0bama, and Hitlery.
I haven’t seen it yet, but if truly depicts Teddy’s dirty deed and his success in evading justice, it will be very popular.
The little people are sick and tired of being ruled by a tyrannical state while the swamp creatures in government and politicians literally get away with murder.
Maybe in 20 years we’ll have a move in called Arkancide that tells all about the Klintoons.
“There actually was no “cover-up” of Kennedy’s car accident that led to the death of an aide” ... “no one but the most lunatic conspiracy theorists see this as anything but a tragic accident in which nothing much was covered up.””
Apparently this guy didn’t read what he wrote.
Three generations of our poorly educated had no clue what scum the guy was. Now they know as they sit there in open mouthed shock.
Anyone old enough to remember Chappaquiddick should see clearly how F'n FAR LEFT the NY Slimes leans.
Kennedy flees the scene of an accident where the girl he's with is left to drown and the Slimes wants the world to believe he's NOT getting a fair shake?
Here's an apt description that fits BOTH Kennedy and the NY Slimes.. WHAT A PIECE OF $HIT!
Mr. Waitress Sandwich had character?
Similar to their continuing "character assassination" of Joe McCarthy.
Somehow, though, they don't quite see it that way.
Who wants to read a book about the POS Ted Kennedy after seeing this film?
He's got to prop up the drunk and negligent homicide Senator.
The myth of Camelot is long dead and forgotten...
Kennedy’s character died of suicide not assassination.
Phew! Neal’s not feelin’ the love in the comments section.
“When it came to a woman’s life, he ran, leaving her to die.
A philanderer’s cowardice.
That’s all I need to know about this creep.”
No wonder Teddy’s wife became an alcoholic.
Delusion runs deep in this one
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.