Review of Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) by Elizabeth M — 17 Jun 2013

Many people didn't like this one... I probably understand why. Writer Richard Nelson and director Roger Michell focused on a single weekend that ultimately may have ended up charting the course of modern history - many good story possibilities here, but not all of them were seen to fruition.

The visit of King George V and Queen Elizabeth (the "Queen Mum") to Franklin D. Roosevelt's mother's house in Hyde Park On Hudson, in upstate New York, on the eve of the Second World War, was a significant event, but the movie is just well made piece of historical speculation mostly grounded in personal recollections that have continually been coming to light over the last seventy years. With eccentric and intriguing characters including Eleanor Roosevelt (Olivia Williams), King Bertie and Queen Liz (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) and, if course, Franklin D. Roosevelt himself (Bill Murray) the movie could not fail, but sometimes telling of the story through the eyes of Franklin D. Roosevelt's fifth cousin Daisy (Laura Linney) could be done much better. We have here a long and friendly affair told using the least interesting technique, missing the effects of the momentous circumstances going on in the slightly chaotic household. Bill Murray is my favourite here - charming, clever, at ease and, ultimately, cunning! Elizabeth Marvel matched him well most of the time as his aide Missy.

If you like films which are breezy and you are curious about a very unique part of the President Franklin D. Roosevelt's life, there is a chance you will find this movie totally enjoyable - even lovable.