FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

This series presents the famed couple as relatable individuals striving to nurture their relationship under the unrelenting gaze of the media. Surrounding figures like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Calvin Klein are depicted with depth, moving beyond their established personas. While others connected to the narrative are given some grace, Hollywood’s Daryl Hannah seems to miss out on that.

**Contains spoilers: Love Story: John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette Episodes 1-3 now available on Hulu**

In my earlier comments regarding Dree Hemingway’s portrayal, I may have been overly generous, labeling her performance as “someone clinging to a loopy stage 5.” The show positions her as the primary antagonist. After what appears to be a magical first date, John and Carolyn quickly find themselves apart. Daryl, high and often frantic, seems more focused on marrying into fame than on genuine love. Her presentation feels shaky, with bland opinions overshadowed by her desire to win over Jackie O.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that Love Story: John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette is rooted in Elizabeth Beller’s biography, Once Upon a Time: The Fascinating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. This work aims to reshape Carolyn’s narrative from its tabloid portrayals, highlighting her as a more complex figure than the public perceived. In this retelling, Daryl serves as the main challenge for Carolyn’s relationship with John, which justifies her villainous characterization—though, perhaps, it could have been less one-dimensional?

We first hear of John’s turbulent relationship with Daryl through his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who scoffs at the mere mention of Daryl. She subtly critiques Daryl’s choices, reinforcing her disapproval throughout the story. When John and Daryl reunite, and John announces Daryl as his date for a significant event, Jackie outright refuses to be at the same wedding. Given her status as a symbol of elegance, her disdain for Daryl is hard to overlook.

The show illustrates Daryl and John’s tumultuous dynamic, with Daryl creating scenes at work and drawing unwanted attention from paparazzi. After arriving home from a book launch, John finds Daryl hosting an unplanned party, complete with chaos and even threats to their safety. As friendships grow complicated, John’s patience wears thin, leading to more confrontations. And this is just the beginning.

The culmination of their business, paired with the unfortunate passing of Daryl’s dog—while in John’s care—seems to signal the end of their romance. John decides to reconnect with the vibrant Carolyn, particularly after his mother’s decline. However, after her passing, Daryl makes a sudden reappearance in John’s life, showing up uninvited at Jackie’s funeral. Seizing the opportunity of John’s grief, Daryl maneuvers to create a spectacle, drawing attention at the most inappropriate moment.

The dislikable traits attributed to Daryl are amplified by Hemingway’s somewhat unsettling performance. In contrast to Naomi Watts, who navigates her character’s complexities with finesse, Hemingway’s portrayal feels like a flat caricature. It’s almost as if the show stripped Daryl of the charm usually associated with her character in real life.

Ironically, this show’s treatment of its male characters tells a different story. Michael Bergin, for instance, emerges as a fleshed-out character who grapples with his feelings for Carolyn while providing support that John appears to lack. Unlike Daryl’s continual complaints, Bergin offers Carolyn a confidante and ally.

Portrayed by Dree Hemingway, Daryl Hannah plays a supporting role in this intricate drama. While there are moments of intrigue in her performance, it often feels disingenuous, lacking the charisma and compassion that Hannah typically exudes. This creative choice stands in stark contrast to the character’s more favorable traits.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette Episode 4 is set to premiere tonight at 9pm ET on FX and Hulu.