Ethel is a fine HBO documentary on the life of Ethel Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy’s widow. The filmmaker is Ethel’s daughter Rory, her 11th child, born six months after RFK’s assassination. Rory Kennedy had the advantage of access to a trove of photos and home movies, along with on-camera interviews with her mother and her siblings. The result is an affectionate and insightful portrait of Ethel, with the view of RFK’s career by his own family. We are surprised to learn that Ethel was the most competitive member of the family. We also learn of her impish liveliness, such as dropping “Get a new Director” into the FBI’s basement suggestion box. Ethel is an interesting woman who has lived an extraordinary life. Anyone interested in 20th Century American history should see Ethel.
Ethel debuted last week and is being rebroadcast on HBO.