John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were known as the power couple of the 1990s. Recently, through a new series created by Ryan Murphy called “Love Story”, their relationship has resurfaced. The series features the romance, contention and deaths of the pair, along with the story of how they met.
The show opens with Bessette at a salon getting her nails done. While this seemingly normal scene may not strike a reaction from younger watchers, many people were able to catch that this moment occurred on the day the couple died. Kennedy was flying Bessette and her sister to a wedding for his cousin when he accidentally crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. The details mentioned in the scene before the flight foreshadow the crash. Kennedy Jr. was supposedly flying the plane not only without his instructor, but with a broken ankle. In this scene, you can’t help but feel frustrated from hearing Kennedy Jr. prepare for takeoff while being at a horrific disadvantage. After this scene abruptly ends, the love story between the two begins.
One major aspect of the show that captivated viewers was the fashion. 90s fashion as a whole is highly admired. Costume designer Rudy Mance brought a certain mix of class and style to the characters’ wardrobes that audiences fawned over, bringing Kennedy Jr. and Bessette to life. Sarah Pidgeon, who played Bessette, rocked the chic and minimalist look with her classy turtlenecks. Paul Anthony Kelly, who plays Kennedy Jr, sported backwards baseball caps and flat caps, making his style look effortlessly cool. Let us hope the positive feedback on his character’s wardrobe will inspire men to start dressing in a similar 90s fashion.
The show’s soundtrack also expanded “Love Story’s” popularity through its 90s song choices that are not just beloved classics, but also able to capture each moment they are used. The show opens with “Kiss Me” by Six Pence None the Richer playing faintly on a radio that immediately wins over the viewers. Another classic, “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star, played over a scene where the pair showed an intimate moment of Kennedy Jr. sharing his family trauma. Another scene is when “Linger” by the Cranberries plays as Bessette walks into her office before realizing that, by being outed by the newspaper, her relationship with Kennedy would be moved into the public eye. Other adored song picks include “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz, “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” by Jeff Buckley and “Heaven or Las Vegas” by the Cocteau Twins.
Although the show has received many appraisals, many criticize it for romanticizing the toxicity of the couple. Ryan Murphy, the producer of the show, is known to exaggerate adaptations of celebrity stories, such as his other hit show “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” While the show is romanticized, it is not to the extent that it becomes unwatchable. Furthermore, in “Love Story,” every episode begins with a disclaimer making it clear to viewers that the events in the show are dramatized and not entirely accurate. Jack Schlossberg, the nephew of Kennedy Jr., publicly spoke out about the show dissing Ryan Murphy for making his family’s story a “grotesque display.” Personally, I believe that if the producer is known for his exaggeration of storylines, and the show provided a disclaimer that some facts are fabricated, you might as well not watch the show if it’s going to cause distress.
Another aspect that has benefited from the show’s popularity is Manhattan restaurants. A popular spot in East Village, the Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant, has had a 20-70 percent increase in reservations ever since the show came out. This restaurant was known as a secret date spot for Kennedy Jr. and Bessette to hide from the paparazzi, and was also known as the location for the couple’s first date.
One of the most underrated parts of the show was the love story of Kennedy Jr. and his bike. Watching him bike around New York City in professional outfits was a highlight of every episode. This detail in the show is very accurate, considering how often Kennedy was photographed biking around Manhattan in professional attire, which became a familiar sight to many New Yorkers in the 90s. Hearing how distraught he was every time he believed his bike was stolen added a comedy to the show and displayed the happier, more lighthearted side of the pair. The lighting in the show is yet another underrated aspect. In certain scenes where the mood is more blissful, viewers can literally see it on the screen, adding to the realness.
While this show is definitely an entertaining watch, I wish producers would focus more on Bessette’s life as well as Kennedy Jr.’s. Overall, the acting in the show was amazing, especially for Kelly, since this is being recognized as his breakout role. Pidgeon is a rising actress and is truly seizing her moment with this show as well. Although the storyline of the couple will end after this season, based on the success of the show, viewers can expect an exciting portrayal of a new scandalous pair to follow.
