Finally caught up on the most-watched limited series on Disney+! Going into it, I only knew John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’s love story at a high level. Posts about Carolyn Bessette’s style influence took over my feed and the series matched the hype.
After seeing Naomi Watts with Kim Kardashian in Ryan Murphy’s glamorous All’s Fair series, I enjoyed seeing her as Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Inside her New York condo and outside in Central Park, she was focused on being a mom despite her larger than life persona.
I read about Ryan Murphy casting Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy because she could authentically embody being a nepo baby. Meryl Streep’s daughter nailed the role of a wealthy mom with deep emotional layers. She could’ve easily fit into Gossip Girl’s cast and she also guest starred in All’s Fair!
There’s one more minor character worth mentioning: Calvin Klein (Alessandro Nivola). I’ve carried black nylon Calvin Klein purses and worn Calvin Klein sports bras for years! I got a kick out of seeing how he played matchmaker to the iconic couple. Then Carolyn picked a different designer for her wedding dress! Calvin definitely could’ve designed a minimalist gown too and I liked how he portrayed her mentor’s disappointment.
Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon were extremely refreshing to watch in Love Story as John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
Aside from Carolyn’s smoking habit, everything about the Calvin Klein publicist screamed cool girl. I liked how the hair and wardrobe department made subtle adjustments to reflect how she progressed personally and professionally. It reminded me of the movie Swiped about Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd (Lily James). However, no series could convince me to wear slingback heels or hair scarves this summer.
As I became invested in John and Carolyn’s love story, their lack of staff became increasingly frustrating. The media’s obsession with the couple would be overwhelming for anyone, but they didn’t reach out to hire the right resources. I liked how Carolyn mentioned going to therapy, but even the best therapist can’t control the paparazzi. I wish they hired a PR and security team to help them navigate the chaos. If they did, it wasn’t evident in the series. It made me want to yell at the TV.
Most of the script was good, but John and Carolyn’s dialogue sounded too pretentious and unnatural while sparring in episode 8. The finale concluded with realistic conversations about their tragic deaths. Caroline admits to Carolyn’s mom that she should’ve done more to help Carolyn when she married John and sadly became depressed and reclusive. Love Story effectively captured how fame affected Carolyn’s mental health before their true story ended with a plane crash.
Love Story is now available to watch on Disney+.
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