Gosford Park

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Costume Drama
Robert Altman decided to leave his usual Americana behind with the dreary British period piece "Gosford Park." It's 1932; the British aristocracy is in its twilight and war looms on the Continent. At Gosford Park,however,it's all fun and games until someone ends up dead. Think of this movie as the dull "Clue" made a little more brilliantly. "Gosford Park" has the usual upstairs/downstairs drama. The great Bob Balaban stars as a visiting Hollywood producer. The hosting aristocrats are Michael Gambon and Kristin Scott Thomas. Jeremy Northam and Maggie Smith are part of the upper crust. Numbered among the servants and valets are the late Alan Bates, Clive Owen, Derek Jacobi, and Ryan Philippe. Helen Mirren herself is in charge of the servants. Talented actors, beautiful production design, elegant costumes, period music-- and yet it falls flat. Needless to say,all there is to this costume drama are the costumes,even with the great Stephen Fry as the detective. Much of the movie is confused and consists of people muttering to each other. It's nearly unintelligible (maybe it needed subtitles-it was Altman's foreign film) "Gosford Park" ends up being an overrated,gussied up spectacle. It's all dressed up... with no place to go.

Wonderful, luxurious mystery
The story opens in 1932 at the country estate of Lord and Lady McCordle; guests arriving for the weekend include friends and relatives and even a Hollywood movie producer. Of course, they bring their servants who bustle around downstairs to make life grand for their betters upstairs. When someone is found dead - and it appears he was murdered twice - everyone seems to have a motive. The superb cast of British megastars is led by Maggie Smith who steals the show with her funny/snobby countess role, Helen Mirren who is tragically efficient as the housekeeper, and Kelly Macdonald who plays a wonderfully meek ladies' maid. Each of the wealthy guests is incredibly spoiled and oblivious to the world downstairs, where the servants have their own hierarchy and drama. Everyone has a secret and they all unfold much to our delight. Director Robert Altman's style of having overlapping dialogue can be frustrating; at first it was hard to understand what was being said because everyone talks at the same time or mumbles, but it's still fun to soak up the atmosphere of the filthy rich who find everything too, too boring. This movie is part comedy, part drama, dripping with period authenticity. It was nominated for seven Oscars and won for Best Director. Lots of fun Extras on the DVD.

Commentary by Julian Fellowes is most enjoyable!
I'm glad this DVD belongs to me for I will watch it many times. The music is lovely and Jeremy Northam and Clive Owen are easy on the eyes. Julian Fellowes has an excellent commentary explaining the aristocracy and the servant class which made the story-line all the more understandable and therefore more enjoyable. Thank you, Julian Fellowes!

A Poisonous Paradise
In a screenplay by Julian Fellowes, and through the imaginations of Bob Balaban and the late director, Robert Altman, viewers find themselves transported to the upper crust society of 1932 England, where the devious Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his elegant and aristocratic, but cold wife,Lady Sylvia(Kristen Scott Thomas) host variegated guests at their country estate for a weekend shooting party. Young Mary Maceachran(Kelly Macdonald)accompanies her employer, Constance, the Countess of Trenham (Dame Maggie Smith)to her niece's estate, encountering actor/singer/composer, Ivor Novello, Sir William's second cousin (an amiable and very gifted Jeremy Northam), on the road with friend and producer, Morris Weissman (a crude Bob Balaban) en route to the same destination. Others arriving at the estate on that rainy November day include the hostess' sisters Louisa and Lavinia(Geraldine Sommerville, Natasha Wightman) and Lord Stockbridge and Commander Meredith (Charles Dance and Tom Hollander). The McCordle's daughter Isobel (Camilla Rutherford), greets her suitor, Lord Rupert Standish (Lawrence Fox), who is accompanied by his friend, Mr. Jeremy Blond (Trent Ford). The Nesbitts, Freddie and Mabel (James Wilby and Claudey Blakely) are a couple who happen to be broke, and their relationship is tense and volatile. The butler, Jennings (Alan Bates) greets the guests at the entrance and directs the servants upon their arrival. Indoors, the downstairs set are directed by Mrs. Wilson ( Helen Mirren), the chief housekeeper. The other notable servants in this drama include Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins), Probst, the valet (Derek Jacobi), Robert Parks (a subtly charismatic Clive Owen) a gauche and mysterious Henry Denton(Ryan Phillippe)who tries to seduce Mary at one point, and head housemaid, Elsie (a hard-bitten Emily Watson), who, like more than one before her, knows her employer quite intimately. During an afternoon tea, Novello finds himself at the receiving end of Constance's caustic views of his career, but also on the receiving end of Mabel's admiration. In the style and tradition of episodes of "Mystery" and "Masterpiece Theater", we are led through the upper crust rituals of formal dinners, games of pool, and the shooting party itself. After one of many scandalous secrets is revealed, Novello is called to ease the tension by playing a few numbers. "I Can Give You the Starlight" was composed seven years after this story takes place. Yet despite this inaccuracy, I found myself glad it was included. The piano stylings of Jeremy Northam and/or his brother, Christopher liven things up more than a little, and the well-enunciated, Broadway-ish singing voice of the former, allegedly developed during a real-life stint as a singing waiter, is a pleasant one. Watching the servants dance to the distant sound of his tunes is priceless, emphasizing the spontaneous joy of the downstairs set. When the host is found dead in his study, with his ever-present dog close at hand, the reaction of those present is one of temporary stunned surprise and horror, even by the widow. Stephen Fry's Inspector Thompson is called in, along with assistant Constable Dexter (Ron Webster). While some tears are shed, generally, the crisis is met with stereotypical British reserve, as the widow and daughter entertain their guests clad in mourning. But more unflattering secrets about the departed are revealed, along with the pretentiousness of some of the upstairs set. Constable Dexter's summary of this world is one of dead-on precision: "It's a poisonous paradise." Soon, many of those involved find themselves making life-altering choices, and those unable to do so are left to new dilemmas and/or to their grief--not just over the deceased, but also in several instances, to issues pertaining to his treatement of them. The reprise of Novello's "The Land of Might-Have-Been" proves a fitting conclusion for the piece-- a sweet and sour slice of upper-crust life of a by-gone era, that makes fine viewing for quiet evenings in.

Many-layered: Every performance is perfect.....
This film can be seen many times and each time, you see something you missed the time before. Both of the commentaries are fascinating. The screenwriter has experienced knowing people who really lived like this, so he is very interesting to listen to. The cast is filled with excellent actors, who, I think, took smaller parts because they wanted to work in a Robert Altman film and they are sublime. No one ever puts a foot wrong. Watch facial expressions and "thrown away" remarks, that are really vital to the story. I would suggest putting on the "caption" feature so you can follow the story while listening to the commentaries, or even to be sure you know what the Scottish Mary Maceachran (Maggie Smith's lady's maid) is saying or any other British speech pattern that may be unfamiliar to your ear. Watch for Meg Wynn Owen, who plays Lady Sylvia's lady's maid- she played Hazel Bellamy in the "Upstairs, Downstairs" series back in the 1970's (a matchless series, in my opinion- don't miss it). Sophie Thompson (Emma's sister) is quietly perfect as Dorothy, the still room maid, who worships Jennings, the butler. She played a perfectly silly woman in "Four Weddings and a Funeral"- she was the second bride, but she really shows her acting chops in this film. Watch for the "strawberry jam" scene with Tom Hollander and her speech about the meaning of love, even though your love isn't returned. I couldn't recommend it more. Jeremy Northam plays Ivor Novello (look him up on Google- Jeremy even looks a little like him) in a small part but played beautifully. Altman said he threw in the "F" word enough times so it would keep 14 year old boys out of the film when it showed in theaters; I don't think it would have been a problem. 14 year old boys wouldn't have been tempted and they wouldn't have understood it- in fact, I doubt if most men would get the point. They would have been looking at their watches hoping it would end soon. People who like the era and all the layers of detail will love it, I am sure. 5 stars from me, though I am a complete and utter Anglophile. You can't go wrong with an Altman film, in any case. It's also a good "escape" movie- takes you away from one's daily problems for a couple of hours- make some microwave popcorn and some iced tea (or a pot of hot tea!) and kick back. Exquisite!