What makes Parkland interesting is the focus on the people you don’t normally see. Sure, there’s Lyndon B. Johnson, but we get Marcia Gay Harden as Doris Nelson, the head trauma nurse at the hospital, Paul Giamatti as Abraham Zapruder, owner the most famous home video shot, Ron Livingston as FBI Agent Hosty, Jackie Earl Haley as the priest who performed last rites on the President, a large number of other secret service members and even James Badge Dale as Lee Harvey Oswald’s brother and Jacki Weaver as his mother.
Things you don’t normally think of when reflecting on the Kennedy assasination, such as how the body was transported and loaded onto Air Force One are the focus here. Rather than examining the major historical points, by telling the human story of those directly affected with dealing the event Parkland finds a fresh and compelling way to look at this moment in history.
I don’t want to talk too much about the film itself – it is a historical drama so we know what is going to happen. Discussing too much of the film will lessen the impact of the personal drama that unfolds. As I expected the film is very well acted and offers up a very interesting perspective that is very watchable.
The Blu-ray doesn’t offer a lot in the way of special features other than an audio commentary by director (and screenwriter) Peter Landesman and then a few deleted scenes.
Parkland is a historical drama that takes a view not normally taken, and is well worth the time.