Gosford Park Review
by Aleksandar Zambelli (IHATESPAMzambelli AT posluh DOT hr)February 6th, 2002
Movie Review:
"Gosford Park"
Copyright (c) 2001 Aleksandar Zambelli
Originally published in The Crimson, a Florida Tech student publication.
Director: Robert Altman
Starring: Kelly MacDonals, Clive Owen, Maggie Smith
Genre: comedy
Several weeks ago Robert Altman received a Golden Globe for Best Director. The buzz in Hollywood is that he might be up for an Academy Award too. The object of everyone's attention is Altman's latest film - "Gosford Park".
The movie is set in 1930s England, where a group of British gentry gathers at Sir William McCordle's country house for a weekend. Friends and relatives arrive to his house, bringing along their menservants as usual. Among the menservants is Mary Macreachran (Kelly MacDonald - "Trainspotting"), Lady Constance's (Maggie Smith - "Room With a View," "Harry Potter") new maid. Mary is introduced to the already established group of servants, led by Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren) and Jennings (Alan Bates), and including the free-spirited Elsie (Emily Watson - "Breaking the Waves") and mysterious Robert (Clive Owen - "Croupier"). New to the house is also Henry Denton (Ryan Phillippe - "Cruel Intenstions," "Antitrust"), the young valet of Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam), a famous Hollywood movie star and relative of Sir William. Henry, although Scottish, is used to the American lifestyle and has difficulty adjusting to the rigid rules of Sir William's house. Sir William (Michael Gambon) is a rather grumpy and stingy old man. Being the primary guardian of the family wealth, he is disliked by many of his guests. As the weekend goes by, interests and tempers collide. The tense atmosphere finally culminates in Sir William's murder. The murder mystery suddenly becomes a double-murder mystery as it is discovered that Sir William was not murdered once, but twice - poisoned and then stabbed.
Altman's portrayal of post-WW1 England is accurate and rich in detail. It is obvious from the very start that a rigid hierarchy exists in the society, strictly defining relations between classes and within classes. The two classes (gentry and servants) are often referred to as "upstairs" and "downstairs," because of the position of their living halls within the house. While upstairs the British gentlemen look down upon their American guests, downstairs the servants look equally partially upon factory workers, cooks - and policemen. The servants in "Gosford Park" are shown to be no more socially liberated than their masters. They abide by the same rules and worship the same social hierarchy, with the only difference being that they belong to a less privileged class.
"Gosford Park" is entirely character driven. It works like a well written novel, never formally introducing the characters but instead describing them through their actions and conversations. The relationships are always implied rather than openly defined. However, it is exactly the lack of a well structured plot which eventually drives "Gosford Park" into the ground. The movie drags on for 90 minutes before even reaching its climax (although the murder is foreshadowed several times and very early in the film, so it's a question whether an anticipated murder can really be called a climax). Colorful characters aren't enough to keep "Gosford Park" interesting, nor memorable. Character driven movies are not uncommon, and it is easy to think of many which have recently been successful - "The Man Who Wasn't There" or "The Straight Story" - but "Gosford Park" characters lack one crucial element - appeal. Its characters are so cold and distant that most people will have great trouble identifying with any of its characters. Altman's occasional lapses into satire and parody don't keep the movie above water either. It is amusing to see Altman parody himself and the Hollywood establishment through his American characters, but it is not original enough to make it worthwhile. The movie is never a true murder mystery for it constantly parodies the genre - either through the character of the American producer who talks about producing a murder mystery movie right as one is actually happening in his house, or through the character of the (stereotypically) dim Inspector Thompson. One keeps waiting for Agatha Christie's Hercules Poirot to appear from somewhere and finally turn the whole thing into a farce.
Although Altman usually works dominantly with American actors and actresses, for this movie he handpicked some of the finest British stars. Maggie Smith is a given, for she has become somewhat of an omnipresence in British movies. Talented Emily Watson, known for serious art films such as "Breaking the Waves," is accompanied by another young British actor, Clive Owen, who made his name in the 1998 underdog hit "Croupier." Famous British comedian Stephen Fry ("Black Adder," "Jeeves and Wooster") makes a small appearance as Inspector Thompson, while an entire ensemble of experienced British actors carries the rest of the picture. The only outstanding American presence in the movie is Ryan Phillippe, who pulls off quite a good Scottish accent and proves once again that he deserves better than teen comedies.
Entertainment industry's nod to director Robert Altman doesn't come as completely unexpected. Altman directed over 50 movies and some 20 TV shows in his career, ranging from blockbuster hits such as "M.A.S.H." and "The Player," to the smaller art-house flicks such as "Short Cuts." But even in the bigger films, Altman never tried to win over his audiences. He stayed true to his visions at the cost of commercial success. Only several out of his 50 movies could be called commercially successful. Hence, mainstream critics and Hollywood moguls, as well as the Academy, regularly snubbed him when the time came for giving out awards. Altman did not receive a single Oscar for any of his greatest films - "Nashville," "McCabe and Mrs. Miller," "The Player" or "Short Cuts." But apparently the time has come for him to collect his dues too. "Gosford Park" is not the best film of Altman's career, but it's sufficiently good that the industry will use it as an excuse to give Altman his long deserved award. It is Hollywood's way of giving a life achievement award to a person who hasn't died yet. A pre-posthumous award, if you wish.
"Gosford Park" is by no means a bad movie. But let's face it, it is certainly not a particularly entertaining one and certainly not one he should receive an Oscar or Golden Globe for. Even if you do go see "Gosford Park" in the theaters, it will not remain in your memory for very long. Waiting until it comes out on video doesn't seem like a bad idea. Want an even better idea? Rent "The Player" instead and watch Altman at his best.
Score: 5/10
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
