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Saturday, December 1, 2012
Hyde Park On Hudson (2012)
In 1939 as war looms on the horizon in Europe, the King (Samuel West) and Queen (Olivia Colman) of England arrive at Hyde Park, the country home of President Franklin Roosevelt (Bill Murray) where the King hopes to solidify support from America. Meanwhile, the President is having a long term affair with his fifth cousin (Laura Linney). Is there a market for a genteel Merchant and Ivory-ish romance between a wheelchair bound sitting President and his homely cousin? Probably not, which is why the King of England's visit takes over the movie. Unfortunately, coming on the heels so soon after THE KING'S SPEECH, it's not enough to perk up a rather drab effort. It's a handsome looking movie (shot by Lol Crawley) but the screenplay by Richard Nelson can't seem to make up its mind whether it wants to be a biting comedy about American and British manners or a poignant romance and the fusion doesn't work. Murray and Linney are affable enough but it's Olivia Williams (so outstanding in GHOST WRITER two years ago) refreshing as Eleanor Roosevelt that takes the film's acting honors. The effective underscore is by Jeremy Sams. Efficiently directed by Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL). With Eleanor Bron, Elizabeth Wilson and Elizabeth Marvel.
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