Review of Gosford Park (2001) by I Don't Know W — 20 Aug 2011

Altman's study of the rich, the servant, the greedy, the vain, the jealous, the selfish, and the proud. This early 1930s British class, intelligent film chronicles a little unusual slice of life of the rich and powerful who spend several days at the house of Sir William in order to - enjoy being who they are.

Except practically no one is happy. Mary and Parks(MacDonald and Owen respectively) are a couple of servants we pay special interest too, but Altman is juggling a myriad of characters in this piece, from a film actor and producer, as well as a valet who is not what he seems, household overseers, and several pairs of rich guests who are consumed with their own problems, whether financial, social, or private.

Then Sir William is murdered and this serves to only thicken the plot of just how involved everyone really is with each other's lives and why this Sir William, who isn't exactly father Christmas, would be murdered.

It's not exciting, but it's intriguing and Altman does impress with his ability to stay focused admits the fuss of these elaborately fake big shots and the very real servants.