Taking on the Kennedys Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Taking on the Kennedys.
Taking on the Kennedys Ending Explained: What would it be like to run against one of the most powerful political families in America. Directed by Joshua Seftel, this 1996 documentary film stars Tom Kemp (Narrator (voice)), alongside Kevin Vigilante as Self, Patrick Joseph Kennedy as Self, Ted Kennedy as Self. With a 9/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of Taking on the Kennedys?
What would it be like to run against one of the most powerful political families in America? Enter the backrooms of American politics as a doctor named Kevin Vigilante takes on the Kennedys. In his first race for public office, Kevin Vigilante challenges Ted Kennedy's youngest son, Patrick, and gets the political education of a lifetime. Dedicated to running a clean fight, Vigilante soon finds himself in the midst of a mud slinging contest. With negative ads about Vigilante filling the airwaves, and John F. Kennedy Jr. signing autographs outside polling stations, Vigilante realizes he has no chance of winning without slinging mud of his own, and proceeds to take off his gloves. Endemic of contemporary campaign politics, the sound byte takes precedence over the speech as issues are overshadowed by negative television advertisements. Taking on the Kennedys aired as a part of PBS' P.O.V. series.
Joshua Seftel's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Tom Kemp (Narrator (voice))'s journey. Enter the backrooms of American politics as a doctor named Kevin Vigilante takes on the Kennedys.
How Does Tom Kemp (Narrator (voice))'s Story End?
- Tom Kemp: Tom Kemp's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Joshua Seftel delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 0h 52m runtime.
- Kevin Vigilante (Self): Kevin Vigilante's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Patrick Joseph Kennedy (Self): Patrick Joseph Kennedy's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Taking on the Kennedys Mean?
Taking on the Kennedys concludes with Joshua Seftel reinforcing the documentary themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Tom Kemp leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.