Elisabeth Moss to star in Ritesh Batra’s Rosemary Kennedy biopic

Ritesh Batra’s upcoming biopic of John F Kennedy’s sister Rosemary will star Elisabeth Moss, the acclaimed actress from the television series The Handmaid’s Tale, Variety reported.

A Letter From Rosemary Kennedy is based on the troubled life of the American President’s sister. “The little-known but haunting story of the eldest sister of President John F. Kennedy, who spent a lifetime hidden from public view because of the political ambitions of her father, Joseph Kennedy, is based on a Black List spec script by first-timer Nick Yarborough,” Variety reported.

The movie “turns on the first daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald who was blessed with the Kennedy family beauty but born with learning difficulties and developmental challenges”, Variety said. “A vibrant beautiful young woman caught smiling in photos with JFK, whom she doted on, she was, however, a large embarrassment to Joseph Kennedy Jr. who was priming his children to be great statesmen – and stateswomen. As result, she was hidden from public view and ultimately institutionalized by her father, suffering a botched lobotomy.” The script is based on “personal letters illustrating her wish to connect with her family”, producer Mister Smith Entertainment said in a statement.

In a statement, Batra said, “The movies about the Kennedy family are deservedly stormy affairs, but here’s a story about the storms within all of us. This is why I am excited to tell this story, and to collaborate with Elisabeth, a fabulously talented actor.”

The biopic will be showcased at the Berlin International Film Festival that will take place between February 15 and 25.

Batra, who has The Lunchbox, The Sense of an Ending, and Our Souls at Night to his credit, is working on the Hindi movie Photograph, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra.