Gosford Park (2002)

Gosford Park finds director Robert Altman in sumptuously fine form indeed. From the opening shots, as the camera peers through the trees at an opulent English country estate, Altman exploits the 1930s period setting and whodunit formula of the film expertly. Aristocrats gather together for a weekend shooting party with their dutiful servants in tow, and the upstairs/downstairs division of the classes is perfectly tailored to Altman's method (as employed in Nashville and Short Cuts) of overlapping bits of dialogue and numerous subplots in order to betray underlying motives and the sins that propel them. Greed, vengeance, snobbery, and lust stir comic unrest as the near dizzying effect of brisk script turns is allayed by perhaps Altman's strongest ensemble to date. First and foremost, Maggie Smith is marvelous as Constance, a dependent countess with a quip for every occasion; Michael Gambon, as the ill-fated host, Sir William McCordle, is one of the most palpably salacious characters ever on screen; Kristin Scott Thomas is perfectly cold yet sexy as Lady Sylvia, Sir William's wife; and Helen Mirren, Emily Watson, and Clive Owen are equally memorable as key characters from the bustling servants' quarters below. Gosford Park manages to be fabulously entertaining while exposing human shortcomings, compromises, and our endless need for confession. --Fionn Meade Amazon.com essential video

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! August 11, 2008

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. August 3, 2008

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! July 22, 2008

Fantastic Movie

I love this movie. I can honestly say it is one of my favorites. Robert Altman made it for intelligent, patient viewers who enjoy character development. It is a murder mystery and a study of English class distinctions. One of the most enjoyable things about it is how un-intrusive the camera is. It simply floats about from room to room catching snatches of conversation and revealing bits of character without one feeling its presence. The overall effect is so natural one almost feels one is looking in the window on these people and their lives.

Another thing I love is that it is told from the servant's perspective. If one watches carefully one will notice that there is never a scene without a servant in it somewhere. Their viewpoint is ultimately the most sympathetic and one realizes just how appallingly dependent the gentry was on their domestics. The entire cast is good but Maggie Smith, Kelly MacDonald, and Michael Gambon are especially eye-catching. I find class system to be a fascinating subject, particularly since the American middle-class is so rapidly deteriorating. People who like action flicks and dumb comedies likely will not enjoy this movie at all, nor will children. But for those who simply like to soak in an insightful, character driven period piece, this is the movie for you. June 18, 2008

The Work of a Master

As has been stated by so many reviewers before me, "Gosford Park" is a wonderfully written, acted, produced, and most importantly directed piece of cinema history. It comprises a truly stellar cast all delivering solid performances in astonishing surroundings. Especially is the effulgence of the great Maggie Smith hard to ignore.

Other reviewers have described the plot in fine detail, so I shant bother you with that. I'll get straight to the important bits: the directing. Robert Altman was, in my opinion, one of only a couple of directors who could have made "Gosford Park" in a proper way. The character driven story is made believable through his unique style. Especially the dialogue, which bears his trademark clatter, chatter, and ambient noise, really gives the impression that we are in a real, busy household with lots of things to take care of and all the rest of it. You really have to concentrate to hear what they are all saying, and still you're probably going to miss some things. Yet this is what makes the film work so well. It plays on the gossip that drives both the upper and the lower classes. On the rumours, the hearsay, the beliefs.

The writing of course is equally good. Great characters and witty dialogue. I am laughing out loud every time I see this film. It is funny but not ridiculous, it is dramatic, but not shakespearean. It is, in a word, great. April 23, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...