There’s something about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy that people just can’t let go of. Maybe it’s the effortless ’90s style, maybe it’s the tragedy or maybe it’s the idea that they were this perfect, untouchable couple. When the show “Love Story” came out, centered on their relationship, it was basically guaranteed to get attention.
Right away, the series pulls you in with the aesthetic. It’s very polished, old-money New York and honestly, that’s part of what makes it so watchable. Bessette-Kennedy is portrayed as that cool, quiet and almost intimidating kind of beauty, while JFK Jr. is charming but is clearly carrying the weight of being a Kennedy. The chemistry is there, and you can see why people in the 90s were so obsessed with them.
One interesting thing about the show is that it marks Paul Anthony Kelly’s first major role as he takes on the part of JFK Jr, which adds a different layer to the whole thing. There’s something kind of fitting about a newcomer stepping into such a well-known figure. At times, you can tell he’s still growing into the role, but it also makes the performance feel a little more raw and less overly polished, which actually works in the show’s favor.
What stood out to me was how accurate the show felt in terms of the time period. When I was watching it with my mom, she kept pointing out how perfectly it captured the 90s aesthetic from the clothes to the overall vibe of the city. She even said it made her a little sad to watch, not because of the story itself, but because it reminded her of that time and how much she misses it. That moment honestly stuck with me, because it showed how the series isn’t just telling a story; it’s bringing back a whole era that people still feel connected to.
The series also tries to go beyond just the glamorized version of their relationship. It shows how intense the media attention was and how that kind of pressure can start to break things down. Their relationship isn’t perfect, and the show doesn’t completely pretend it is, which makes it more interesting than just another romanticized retelling.
But at the same time, it definitely leans hard into the aesthetic over substance. There are moments where it feels like the show is more focused on looking beautiful than actually saying something deeper about who they were as people. If you’re not already invested in their story, it might feel surface-level.
Overall, it’s the kind of show you put on because you’re curious, but keep watching because it’s visually appealing and addictive. It doesn’t fully escape the romanticization that’s followed their story for years, but it gives just enough depth to make you question it. Watching it with my mom made it even clearer that what looks like a perfect love story from the outside was a lot more complicated in reality, making it a worthwhile watch.