HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
***
Director: Roger Michell
Screenwriter: Richard Nelson
Principal cast:
Bill Murray
Elisabeth Wilson
Olivia Williams
Laura Linney
Elisabeth Marvel
Samuel West
Olivia Colman
Country: UK
Classification: M
Runtime: 95 mins.
Australian release date: 28 March 2013
Roger Michell’s film, Hyde Park on Hudson, exposes one of the many affairs the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was known to have had. This was a period in history when the possibility of being impeached for one’s indiscretions was not an issue; a time when the world allowed people in high office to keep secrets. It was also a period of instability as war in Europe threatened and the British were desperate to create a strong bond with the USA, in the hope of forming a strategic alliance with America.
The first part of the film deals with Roosevelt’s relationships with the women in his life, notably his formidable mother, played by Elizabeth Wilson, his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) and his distant cousin Daisy (Laura Linney). It is also suggested that he had an on-going affair with his personal secretary, ‘Missy’ (Elizabeth Marvel) around the same time. Juggling these relationships played an important role in shaping FDR, superbly played here by Bill Murray. His cavalier approach to the events unfolding around him creates an atmosphere which makes for a very entertaining weekend on the President’s country estate in upstate New York; the setting is ‘Hyde Park on the Hudson’ and the occasion is a visit by the British Royals, King George IV (Samuel West) and his wife Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman), who are visiting with the hope of shoring up support from their potential ally and are subjected to a very American outdoor dining experience, the BBQ, complete with hot dogs and a ‘show’ by native Americans. The look of horror on the Brit’s faces when confronted by these unusual novelties is a treat.
Whether or not Hyde Park on Hudson is a largely fictional representation of an historical event doesn’t really matter. The fabulous locations and all-round fine performances make for a thoroughly watchable film that beautifully depicts the cultural differences between two very prominent figures striding the world stage in the late 1930s. Despite these differences though, they had much in common - while holding positions of great power both were all too human. Maybe that’s the message here, for both men were known for their disabilities and the strength they gained from their ability to overcome them.
Screenwriter: Richard Nelson
Principal cast:
Bill Murray
Elisabeth Wilson
Olivia Williams
Laura Linney
Elisabeth Marvel
Samuel West
Olivia Colman
Country: UK
Classification: M
Runtime: 95 mins.
Australian release date: 28 March 2013
Roger Michell’s film, Hyde Park on Hudson, exposes one of the many affairs the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was known to have had. This was a period in history when the possibility of being impeached for one’s indiscretions was not an issue; a time when the world allowed people in high office to keep secrets. It was also a period of instability as war in Europe threatened and the British were desperate to create a strong bond with the USA, in the hope of forming a strategic alliance with America.
The first part of the film deals with Roosevelt’s relationships with the women in his life, notably his formidable mother, played by Elizabeth Wilson, his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) and his distant cousin Daisy (Laura Linney). It is also suggested that he had an on-going affair with his personal secretary, ‘Missy’ (Elizabeth Marvel) around the same time. Juggling these relationships played an important role in shaping FDR, superbly played here by Bill Murray. His cavalier approach to the events unfolding around him creates an atmosphere which makes for a very entertaining weekend on the President’s country estate in upstate New York; the setting is ‘Hyde Park on the Hudson’ and the occasion is a visit by the British Royals, King George IV (Samuel West) and his wife Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman), who are visiting with the hope of shoring up support from their potential ally and are subjected to a very American outdoor dining experience, the BBQ, complete with hot dogs and a ‘show’ by native Americans. The look of horror on the Brit’s faces when confronted by these unusual novelties is a treat.
Whether or not Hyde Park on Hudson is a largely fictional representation of an historical event doesn’t really matter. The fabulous locations and all-round fine performances make for a thoroughly watchable film that beautifully depicts the cultural differences between two very prominent figures striding the world stage in the late 1930s. Despite these differences though, they had much in common - while holding positions of great power both were all too human. Maybe that’s the message here, for both men were known for their disabilities and the strength they gained from their ability to overcome them.