Love Story Series Revives 90s Nostalgia with Kennedy Romance
In a world dominated by grim headlines, the nine-part series Love Story provides a welcome escape into the nostalgic glow of 1990s New York. Executive-produced by Ryan Murphy, though not written by him, the drama chronicles the love story and tragic deaths of John F Kennedy Jr and his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. While some might dismiss it as tabloid fare, this stylized show has struck a chord with audiences seeking respite from today's harsh realities.
A Pearly, Nostalgic Light
The series begins with the knowledge of the couple's untimely end in a 1999 plane crash, which imbues the preceding narrative with a melancholic, pearly light. This contrasts sharply with the iron-grey wash of contemporary life, offering viewers a soothing alternative. Love Story does not depict the current New York of exorbitant rents and finance-dominated streets, nor the crime-ridden version from 1990s films like Home Alone 2.
Instead, it immerses us in a stylized vision of the era, reminiscent of Kate Moss's rise at Calvin Klein. Scenes feature lunches at the Four Seasons and dinners at Indochine, with Paul Anthony Kelly delivering an excellent performance as JFK Jr, and Sarah Pidgeon shining as Bessette. The show evokes a surprising nostalgia for smoking indoors and fashion like black capri pants and loafers, elements that now seem quaintly distant.
Kennedy Nostalgia and Broader Cultural Revival
Unexpectedly, the series taps into nostalgia for the Kennedy dynasty, recalling a time when the family's scandals were relatively minor, such as JFK Jr failing his bar exam. This aligns with a broader Gen Z-driven revival of 1990s nostalgia, yearning for a pre-internet era of simpler social interactions and tangible pleasures like vinyl records. Since its launch on Hulu and Disney+, Love Story has sparked widespread fascination.
Media outlets have delved into Bessette's wardrobe, with British Vogue highlighting costumes sourced from eBay and Etsy after initial paparazzi mockery. Real estate websites praise the production design, and the soundtrack, featuring artists like Lenny Kravitz and Madonna, keeps trending. In one poignant moment, Madonna's 1994 anthem Secret plays, evoking tears for more innocent times.
Key Performances and Controversial Reception
Naomi Watts adds to the charm with her portrayal of an aging Jackie Kennedy Onassis, blending elements of Edie Beale and Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek. In a memorable scene, she sways to Richard Burton's Camelot while gazing at a painting of JFK, whispering, "It was supposed to be both of us that day in Dallas!" before exiting to Ave Maria.
However, not everyone embraces the series. Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr's nephew and a congressional candidate, criticized it on CBS, stating, "If you want to know someone who's never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy." While such shows can be seen as presumptuous and glib, Love Story defies viewers not to be drawn in by its nostalgic allure, making it a compelling watch despite the controversies.
