CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Gosford Park

Director

Robert Altman

Year

2001

Rating

Reviewed by

José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris

Review date

Monday, May 06, 2002

Director Robert Altman’s last moments of glory before his death came courtesy of the critically-acclaimed Gosford Park, a movie that stayed true to his roots and that proved he still got it so late in his life. He was a director with whom all actors dreamt to work with, and the ensemble he gathered for this venture is a testimony to that; the better to complete his mission and the better for us as his audience.

The story takes place in 1932 England. Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) has arranged a hunting weekend so his country house quickly fills up with high society guests. From Hollywood types (Bob Babalan, Jeremy Northam) to aristocracy members (Maggie Smith, Charles Dance, Claudie Blakly) to his own family (Kristin Scott Thomas, Camilla Rutherford). There are also countless servants, valets and butlers (Emily Watson, Alan Bates, Kelly Macdonald, Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, Ryan Phillipe) ready to help at any moment. And then a murder happens, so a clumsy police detective (Stephen Fry) comes to investigate what already is a house full of intrigues.

Altman directed from a masterful script by Julian Fellowes, based on an idea the former came up along with Bob Balaban. The basic structure of the movie could be said to be inspired by an Agatha Christie whodunit in which there’s a crime and several different types are suspects. I personally am a huge Christie follower so to have this movie resemble some of her best work is just one of its many pleasures. The mystery works from start to finish, with a denouement that doesn’t let down.

Then again, there’s a lot more to it than that. Altman uses this plot as an excuse to paint a portrait of the difference between social classes during the time. It is awfully interesting to watch everything from the point of view of the servants, people who seem to have much more humanity than anyone else... or at least are capable of showing it. There’s something that left me particularly impressed and that is the way in which the servants had such a strict hierarchic system between them despite how much they hated the difference between classes. Such a contradiction makes for exquisite drama.

Gosford Park has over 30 speaking roles and the work Altman does with the actors is impeccable. We do not get confused, we know at least the basic about all of them and we’re always aware of the goings-on. These are all, arguably without exception, fascinating characters and that’s why the movie works despite being inherently talky. Fellowes’s Oscar-winning screenplay is full of wit, satire, drama, comedy, suspense and social commentary. I also loved how every single scene ends with a great line.

Andrew Dunn’s cinematography, Patrick Doyle’s score, Stephen Altman’s production design, Sarah Hauldren’s art direction and Jenny Beavan’s costume design are all of the highest order.

As for the cast itself, there are not enough complimentary words to describe the exceptional work they do both as individuals and as part of an ensemble. Standouts include Maggie Smith as the sarcastic nosy old woman with a plan of her own, Kristin Scott Thomas as a deliciously flamboyant and unhappy host, Helen Mirren as the cold and perfectionist head of servants, Jeremy Northam as real-life Ivor Novello and Kelly Macdonald as the inexperienced girl through whom we see it all.

“I’m the perfect servant; I have no life.”

CriticSociety en Twitter | CriticSociety en Facebook

Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter

Review

Gosford Park

Director

Robert Altman

Year

2001

Rating

Reviewed by

Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho

Review date

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Several aristocrats are invited to spend a weekend in the estate of Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) for a shooting party. They arrive one by one, accompanied by their servants and valets. As soon as they get there, all blend in a unique atmosphere created by themselves, which has two very important divisions: the servants and their masters. Every person that arrives, every turn of events, and all else is talked about, criticized or admired by some, or all.

Perspectives, points of view, jokes, pokes and all kind of reactions are shown or communicated to us. How the two societies portrayed here interact is greatly shown in this movie. It sure reflects what that kind of life is about.

An amazing cast that includes Kristin Scott Thomas, Emily Watson, Maggie Smith, Stephen Fry, Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, Ryan Phillippe and many more, does a great job. Each and every one is great, especially Smith as a mordant gossip lover and Mirren as a loyal servant. Fry made me laugh quite a lot as a clumsy detective.

This is a delectable piece of British entertainment that should be seen and admired for its beauty. Great work by Altman and writer Julian Fellowes.

If you haven’t seen it, don’t let publicity fool you: this is not a murder mystery! Murder happens, though…

“I am the perfect servant – I have no life!”

Gon C Curiel en Twitter | CriticSociety en Twitter | CriticSociety en Facebook

Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter