Review of Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) by Luke B — 06 Jan 2013

There's no questioning the brilliance that is Bill Murray, and he definitely looks ready to let loose and meet the challnge of playing polio-stricken President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But he steals a movie that isn't worth stealing.

His amazing performance as FDR can't transcend the tepid script from playwright Richard Nelson and the misfired direction of Roger Mitchell (Notting Hill). The film, set in Hyde Park, New York at Springwood (country estate of the Roosevelt family) is meant to conjur Downton Abbey-like intrigue, but insteads generates nauseating drama as FDR is awaiting a visit from England's stuttering King George VI (Samuel West) and Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman).

The year is 1939 and the Brits are looking to the Americans for allies in the coming war. But these matters are put on the backburner in favor of the budding romance between FDR and his sixth cousin Daisy Suckley (Laura Linney).

In once scene early on Franklin takes Daisy for a drive and she gives him a handjob. No foolin'. Olivia Williams gives the film a spark as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who feigns obliviousness to the President's dalliances.

The actors are great, but not great enough. Unfortunate.