Ruby

The movie Ruby is a crime biography film directed by John Mackenzie and produced by John Fiedler, released in 1992. The movie stars the award-winning American actor Danny Aiello, alongside Sherilyn Fenn and Frank Orsatti, and is a gripping portrayal of real-life incidents woven intricately into a thrilling narrative.

Danny Aiello features in the lead role as the infamous gambler, Jack Ruby, who first crossed the threshold into public consciousness when he shot Lee Harvey Oswald, the suspected assassin of President John F Kennedy. Ruby’s life, overshadowed by his eventual act, offers a rich tapestry of events and circumstances that make for a compelling cinematic experience.

Set in 1960s Dallas, the movie unravels the story of Ruby from his early days as a strip club owner, his ties with organized crime, and his eventful journey that eventually ensnared him in a web of high-level political conspiracy and personal tragedy. Danny Aiello, with his characteristic emotive and credible acting, gives a standout performance that adds depth to the character of Jack Ruby.

Sherilyn Fenn, known for her work in television series and movies alike, stands toe-to-toe with Aiello, making her mark as Candy Cane. Candy signifies an Vegas show-girl, but her character is not a mere sideshow, but a woman of substance, offering an interesting narrative spun around her relationship with Jack Ruby.

Frank Orsatti, with his stellar performance, completes the trio, making the core cast of Ruby unforgettable. He shines in the film, creating an unforgettable persona that resonates smoothly throughout the narrative.

Intricate, plot-twisting, and tension-infused, the movie digs deeper into the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of JFK. However, instead of becoming a straightforward docudrama based on historical facts, Mackenzie creates an insightful narrative that maneuvers through the underbelly of politics, organized crime, and state-level machinations intertwined with personal struggles. In this way, the narrative of Ruby, straddling the fine line between actual events and conjectures, maintains a balance that makes the story engaging and thought-provoking.

The cinematography of Phil Meheux and the musical score by John Scott combine to create an atmospheric environment that paints a vivid and authentic picture of the era. Period details are finely captured and manifested throughout the movie, creating an immersive experience that successfully transports the viewers back in time.

The screenplay by Stephen Davis presents an engaging blend of mystery, drama, and crime. The keen attention to dialogues ensures that every exchange is impactful, thus enhancing the overall narrative drive of the film. The characters' development is also thoughtfully plotted, with each character’s hardships, dreams, and realities playing crucial roles in revealing their motivations, moralities, and ambitions.

Essentially, Ruby is a movie that draws a human portrait of Jack Ruby, a man most infamously remembered for one violent act. The film explores his personal life, humanizing the man behind the headlines and offering an intimate look into his hardships, connections, and the realities he navigated within the dark labyrinth of power and crime.

While the events surrounding the JFK assassination remain one of the most analyzed, discussed, and speculated incidents of American history, Ruby focuses on the life of a man entangled within its complexities. In doing so, it carves out its own unique space within the landscape of American biographical crime films.

For those interested in historical dramas, crime, biographies, or the complexities of political power dynamics, Ruby is a notable addition to their watchlist. Bringing together a compelling narrative, a powerful ensemble led by Danny Aiello, and John Mackenzie's direction, the movie serves as a captivating cinematic exploration of Jack Ruby's life and the intense historical period it was intertwined with.