Review of Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) by Val H — 04 Nov 2012

There's a certain genre of film that I've never particularly cottoned to - the historical period drama. THE KING'S SPEECH is a perfect example. It's a pretty flawless film, stunningly entertaining and beautifully acted, but in the end, give me raw, gutsy stakes like we get on BREAKING BAD or else I check out. I JUST DIDN'T CARE and the only things I'll remember from the film are how Helena Bonham Carter folded her hands together and the distorted shots of the old-fashioned radio mikes. Sure, there are a couple of Merchant/Ivory films I loved - REMAINS OF THE DAY, HOWARD'S END, and A ROOM WITH A VIEW come to mind, but none of them have stuck with me in the same way NETWORK, THE EXORCIST, or PAPER MOON have.

I tend to call the genre HOOP SKIRTS AND CORSETS. Now don't get me wrong, we can learn a lot by looking back, but after a while, it all tends to come across as WHITE PEOPLES' PROBLEMS. (make a mental note: that would make a great name for a band - sort of a THE NEGRO PROBLEM 2.0). There's too much self-satisfaction going on, as if everyone, the cast AND the audience, make little "tutting" sounds to prove how superior they are to everyone else around them. "Look at us! We're cultured! Bring on more iambic pentameter!".

So enter HYDE PARK ON HUDSON, which on the surface, looks like a perfectly respectable entry. You have a cast with an undeniable pedigree, a director who certainly has proven to have visual flair despite a spotty record, and an unusual subject matter, FDR hosting the King and Queen of England while simultaneously boinking his cousin. It's certainly handsomely shot, and Bill Murray is a daring choice to play the 1939 President, and the tone is quite genial, but after about an hour, I had had enough. I walked out. I just didn't care what I was watching. It wouldn't be fair to fully review this film. I was bored beyond belief. I heard the King and Queen stuff is pretty fun, and I'm sure everyone acquits themselves respectfully. Others told me that it's pretty shapeless and doesn't really go anywhere. Clearly, this one ain't for everyone. It just makes me want to say, please path the meth and throw out the granny panties!