LOVE STORY: JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. AND CAROLYN BESSETTE – Review by Abby Perkins (Mentorship Program Critic)
Executive Proucer Ryan Murphy just can’t quit, and he won’t quit, regardless of whether people love him or hate him. No matter how much criticism gets thrown his way, he will continue to produce what he wants, when he wants it. Coming off the review bombing of Kim Kardashian’s All’s Fair, the failure of medical drama Doctor Odyssey, and the controversy of the true crime anthology series Monster, Murphy has risen from the ashes with Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
Spanning over seven years, Love Story follows John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly) and Carolyn Bessette (Sarah Pidgeon) from their first meeting to the day they tragically lost their lives. Kelly has come out of nowhere, quickly making a name for himself with an emotionally grounded performance and electrifying chemistry with Pidgeon – you may recognize her from last year’s I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot and her Tony-nominated performance in Stereophonic in 2024.
The overall sleek ‘90s aesthetic of the show really lands. Carolyn’s iconic fashion sense and bright blonde hair are stunningly emulated in Pidgeon’s makeup and wardrobe. When the first look of the series was released, the public was outraged, calling out her much-too-modern look of pin-straight yellow-blonde hair and 2020s Zara-like clothing. It is safe to say that the costume team, led by Rudy Mance (Monster, American Fiction, The Alienist), and hair and makeup crew, spearheaded by Pidgeon’s personal stylist Barry Lee Moe (Pam and Tommy, Pose, Hollywood), listened to the criticism. One true homage is in episode four, where Carolyn asks to borrow John’s white button-up, a subtle nod to her iconic minimalist look at the Whitney Museum in 1999. It didn’t take long for her style to start trending online, catching the attention of young viewers who didn’t witness it in real time. Everyone on TikTok is in love with the minimalist chic of Bessette, whether they are discovering it for the first time or reminiscing on ‘90s nostalgia. Continue reading on THE FEMALE GAZE
ABOUT ABBY PERKINS
Raised in Richmond, Virginia by a large family of actors, artists, dancers, and singers, Abby Perkins has been surrounded by art since she was born. As a directing student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Abby has developed short films and scripts focusing on coming-of-age, social commentary and satire, and the perspective of women. She will be moving to Brooklyn in Spring 2026, hoping to chart a career in digital marketing and short form content in the commercial and independent filmmaking worlds.
ABOUT AWFJ/UNCSA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) have partnered to launch the AWFJ/UNCSA Mentorship Program, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic study and the professional world of film criticism. The program creates a vital pathway for the next generation of cultural commentators to transition into the industry. Its mission is to support aspiring film, television, and streaming reviewers by providing them with a professional platform and direct mentorship from established critics. By connecting UNCSA’s rigorous arts conservatory training with the AWFJ’s extensive journalistic experience, the program seeks to cultivate critics who are not only knowledgeable about cinema but also skilled in the craft of engaging, analytical writing for a broad audience. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to the future of film criticism, ensuring that emerging talent is nurtured, equipped with practical skills, and given the opportunity to build a professional portfolio before graduation.
