Review of Gosford Park (2001) by Matthew P — 03 Oct 2008

Don't be misled, this is not a Clue-style whodunnit as it may at first appear. It's not a suspense film, it's a multi-layered incursion into the relationships between masters and their servants, with a ferocious tongue-in-cheek tone.

The biggest surprise of the whole film isn't the WHO, but the why of the murder. This film has a lot of things going for it: a wide cast of top-class actors and actresses it draws from as well as a fascinating look into the behind the scenes of old-timey, high-class living that feels authentic.

I liked this film, but I didn't really enjoy it (atleast not until the end). It's pace was steady but slow, and it takes most of the movie to actually get to the murder, that in my opinion, doesn't take full advantage of it's possible tension.

I debated between 4 and 4 1/2 stars; it's a well-crafted film, but in terms of level of enjoyment, I give it 4.