Pop Commentary

If you haven’t watched FX’s “Love Story” about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, I highly recommend it! The limited series is one of my favorite shows of the year so far, with a great mix of romance, drama and cultural history.

The synopsis

“Love Story” explores the iconic couple’s whirlwind courtship, high-profile marriage and the issues they faced in their relationship pertaining to their intense fame.

The gag

What I loved most about the show was that it transported the audience back to New York City in the 90s, with fabulous clothes and an eclectic social scene. It almost felt like I was back watching “Sex and the City” but with new characters.

I also thought the casting was fantastic. Sarah Pidgeon knocked it out of the park as Carolyn, and Paul Anthony Kelly really embodied John’s sexy, cool demeanor that America fell in love with. I could see both of them winning Emmys for their performances.

Another thing I enjoyed was that we got a lot of interesting glimpses at how the Kennedy family may have interacted in the 90s. They’re basically American royalty and have always fascinated me, so it was fun to learn more about their dynamic during that time.

The drag

One thing I had a problem with was how they chose to handle the tragedy at the end of the series. It’s a really important part of their story, but since the show is more about their relationship, I kind of wish the last episode was a little bit vaguer with what happened to them. It was by no means graphic, but I don’t think we needed to see quite as much as we did.

Another complaint that I had was that I wish they had someone play Carole Radziwill, who was married to JFK Jr.’s cousin and was a best friend of the couple. She probably didn’t want to be portrayed in the show since it’s a sensitive topic, but I think her character would have been a good sounding board for both John and Carolyn.

The verdict

Those are just some nitpicky critiques, though. I really had a fabulous time watching “Love Story” and I think you will too if you like romantic dramas that touch on big cultural moments.

If you’ve already watched “Love Story,” let me know what you thought of it in the comments and subscribe to Pop Commentary for more reviews like this!