LAMORINDA WEEKLY | "Parkland"


Austin Nichols as Emory Roberts stars in "Parkland." Photo: Claire Folger (c)2013 Exclusive Media Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo provided

The California Independent Film Festival is four weeks away and Independent Films are generating excitement! We are very fortunate to have two beautiful independent movie theaters to showcase the best films from festivals around the world. This week the Orinda Theatre is showing the newest four-star film, "Parkland," the hospital in Dallas, Texas, where President John F. Kennedy was taken after his assassination.

Although millions have seen footage of the shooting, few are familiar with the individuals whose lives were so tragically changed on Nov. 22, 1963. There was the "Zapruder" video, but who was Abraham Zapruder (portrayed in "Parkland" by Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti ("Cinderella Man," "Sideways")? Giamatti always delivers an amazing performance and he makes one feel for this man who carries the burden of shooting a home video that haunts him for the rest of his life. "Parkland" portrays the people (hospital personnel, first responders, FBI, reporters, etc.) who were affected by the assassination.

How about the young resident, Dr. Charles 'Jim' Carrico (Zac Efron), who finds himself thrown into saving the President of the United States, and less than 36 hours later finds himself in the same situation with Lee Harvey Oswald, Kennedy's assassin. It was Nurse Doris Nelson, played by Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden ("Pollock," "The Mist"), who had to deal with the hospital staff, CIA agents, FBI agents, as she was trying to keep it all together.

First time director Peter Landsman (a former journalist) does an excellent job having the audience believe they are with Zapruder filming the motorcade or in the total chaos of the emergency room or on Air Force One. The use of intertwining original footage creates elements of realism and tension as one is drawn into the chaotic environment.

The other cast members are: Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade") as secret service agent Forrest Sorrels, Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver ("Silver Linings Playbook") as Marguerite Oswald, mother of Lee Harvey Oswald. While watching the film, I said to myself "she is overacting" but after researching footage of Marguerite Oswald on YouTube, Weaver nailed it! Her performance of Marguerite was dead on. Equally as good was James Badge Dale ("World War Z," "The Lone Ranger") as Robert Oswald, Lee Harvey's brother.

"Parkland" is a movie that makes one realize how one event can change lives forever. "Parkland" can only be seen on this side of the Caldecott Tunnel at the Orinda Theatre. Do not miss this movie. Lamorinda Theatres is grateful to have it here.

Parkland is rated PG-13 with a total running time of 93 minutes.

Derek Zemrak is a film critic, film producer and founder of the California Independent Film Festival. You can follow Derek on Twitter @zemrak for the latest Hollywood news. Derek can be heard every Friday on KAHI 950AM on the Poppoff Show.