Review of Gosford Park (2001) by Eric S — 14 Jun 2008

"Gosford Park" is a movie I'm ashamed to say I waited entirely too long to see. I'm a fan of Altman's other group efforts (i.e. M.A.S.H. and "Brewster McCloud"), and this is no different. To say the first half of this film is pretentious isn't entirely incorrect; it provides a window into the early 1930's upper crust. "Gosford Park" is enjoyable at least, but it is gorgeous to look at and incredibly romantic in its sentiment.

Altman helmed one of the most enourmously talented casts assembled to that time. However, the film will undoubtedly require multiple viewings by most in order that they might get it all under their belt.

And while the main plotline surrounds the murder of one not-so-pleasant member of the cast, by the time the "murder mystery" arrives, the film is half over. While a great deal of time is spent rounding out the cast by the continual addition of characters and preparing us for that aforementioned moment, it seems there's little given in the way of their development; it remains decidedly vague. Nonetheless, there are many things I enoyed and recommend this film to any fan of Altman or of British casting.