Review of Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) by Hoops2448 — 22 Apr 2013

Hyde Park on Hudson tells two stories and because of it, it feels like two films, one excellent, the other not so much. The film follows a weekend hosted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) for the king of England George the 6th and his wife queen Elizabeth.

They are coming to ask for assistance in the unavoidable conflict that is the 2nd world war despite the fact it hasn't started yet. Meanwhile sixth cousin to FDR, Daisy begins a romantic affair with the president.

The first story Hyde Park on Hudson introduces you to is that of Daisy (Laura Linney), the innocent woman who narrates most of this odd tale. However the Daisy represented at the beginning of the film is drastically different from that of the end of the film, for starters shes likable.

Some might say for good films to be good the characters must change and to an extent that is true. However when a character changes so drastically and so unrealistically it ruins the story you are watching, you are left with a nagging feeling that this shouldn't happen.

Such is the problem with Hyde Park on Hudson, a story about a shy woman finding her voice, its just shocking and slightly disgusting that the voice she finds within her is one I have absolutely no desire to listen to or follow.

Not only does this new version of her emerge in a final act so rushed you might forget it even took place. It turns Daisy into what I can only describe as a manipulative concubine as if instantly and without logical reason.

This long offensive picture does help its cause with its second story, the story that Daisy witnesses but never affects. When the king and queen arrive the film livens up and finally has something interesting to say.

Not only does their story have a dark, serious war shaped core but it is also a jovial, light hearted tale of the differences and similarities of two countries and how through a simple act of desperation/hope they rekindled a connection that was long since severed.

This story is one of friendship and joy, of fear and dread too and that's the kind of story I want to watch. The performances in the film are good and when it comes to Bill Murray and Olivia Coleman they are extraordinary but it can't help the film recover from a severe problem with its lead character.

Linney herself is fine in the role and she makes do with what she is given but ultimately the film tells her story in a way that removes the viewers empathy and interest, you think she deserves what happens to her in the final act and maybe even something worse.

The script has serious problems, most of which are plot related but there are also a few clunkers hidden away in the great dialogue. Ulitmately the film is let down by its director (Roger Mitchell) who portrays FDR more like the creepy uncle than the man behind the curtain, the wizard capable of doing great things while also having his many flaws.

He somehow manages to show him as a wonderful man, a great leader and a man full of virtue and then flip him into something dark, camp and creepy, almost as creepy as the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

These changes cause huge tone problems and unfortunately Daisy gets stuck in the middle and gets indoctrinated by the wrong version of the man, the perverted old wretch who has nothing of value to say.

If I wanted to watch a film that unintentionally ruins the persona of a president due to terrible direction and bad plotting I'd watch W. again.