Anyone scrolling through social media lately has likely seen people talking about Hulu’s new series “Love Story.” The show digs into the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, a couple whose relationship was always in the public eye, and is filled with drama that most people never got to see. The new series has captured NVD students’ attention, who have been talking about the story and the casting.
Before watching, many students expressed they didn’t know much about the couple besides what they had seen online. For some, the show changed how they viewed the relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. In the show, several scenes depict the pressure Carolyn Bessette faces from the Kennedy family and the public eye.
“I was born a lot later than their time but I knew them from my mom being obsessed with their relationship. I didn’t realize how judgemental the Kennedy family could be,” junior Sarah Andriescu said.
The casting was another topic that caught viewers’ attention. Many people praised the actors for the realistic portrayal of the real life couple, while others noted that capturing the notorious charm of JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette was not an easy task.
“I think the casting was amazing. They look and sound the same. The performances also feel super believable and the acting makes it such a fun and intense show to watch,” junior Molly Brisman said.
Junior Yonatan Evar mentions that outside of specific scenes where the acting is great, little details, like mannerisms or even the lisp JFK Jr had, play a major role in the believability of the character.
“Both actors are aesthetically pleasing as well. They have a certain charm when on screen, especially the actress playing Carolyn Bessette, which makes it hard not to get invested,” Evar said.
Evar also explained the importance of new actors in these popular shows.
“It’s more exciting and refreshing to see a new, fresh actor on my screen. I watch a lot of movies, and I’m sick of seeing the same ten actors in all of the upcoming movies,” Evar said.
The major influence JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette had on 90s fashion has also become clear. NVD students and other viewers online have recognized and appreciated the representation of their trendy fashion in the show.
“Carolyn Bessette’s fashion has been mentioned on social media everywhere I look. The show has definitely revived the obsession with her style,” Andriescu said.
The series explores the pressure of constant media attention and the challenges of dating within one of America’s most famous families. Despite the intense drama, nearly all students agreed the show was fun and easy to watch.
“It was a super entertaining show. I watched all 5 episodes that are out right now in two days. It is definitely something you would want to watch with your friends,” Brisman said.
The show also sparked curiosity about the real life couple or the Kennedy family history for some students.
“The Kennedy family is a big part of American history. I think seeing such a personal representation of them on the tv screen makes me more interested in learning about it,” Andriescu said.
However, opinions were mixed on whether it’s fair to turn real people’s lives into TV shows.
“I think it is fair if it is accurate and they consent to it. In this case, I think it’s a little problematic especially because JFK Jr’s nephew publicly criticized the series and said that the family was never told,” Brisman said.
Overall, “Love Story” has left a strong impression on NVD students. Whether they watched it for the romance, the drama, or the history, many agreed that the show was an extremely enjoyable watch.
“I would definitely recommend it to any of my friends. It helped me understand these public figures better, especially since I wasn’t around when they were actually famous,” Brisman said.
