| Gosford Park |
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| Rating: Very Good Distributor: USA Films Release Date: December 26th, 2001 (limited), January 4th, 2002 (wider), wider in the following weeks Running Length: 2 hours, 17 minutes MPAA Rating: R Genre: Period Piece, Mystery Director: Robert Altman Cast: Eileen Atkins, Bob Balaban, Alan Bates, Claudie Blakley, Charles Dance, Stephen Fry, Michael Gambon, Richard E. Grant, Tom Hollander, Derek Jacobi, Kelly MacDonald, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Northam, Clive Owen, Ryan Phillippe, Camilla Rutherford, Maggie Smith, Geraldine Somerville, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sophie Thompson, Emily Watson, Natasha Wightman and James Wilby. |
| Plot: The setting is England in the 1930s. A wealthy couple (Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas) invites friends for a weekend at their estate, Gosford Park. The main focus of the get together is for the men to shoot birds. All the wealthy guests bring their servants, and the guest servants join the house servants. In the film the relationship between the different classes is explored. Most of the wealthy guests are unkind and contemptuous. Yet, most of the servants are benevolent and patient. During the weekend a murder occurs, and a detective is called in to investigate the household. |
| Critique: Gosford Park is an intricate, layered story with a plethora of intriguing characters. The film boasts an amazing ensemble cast, and as a result the acting in the film is extraordinary. The whole cast was superb, but Kelly MacDonald, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and Richard E. Grant standout. The film is directed by the great Robert Altman, and as expected Altman's craftsmanship in this picture was astonishing. The filmmaking is polished and assured in every scene. The storytelling in Gosford Park is adroit and enjoyable. The film moves at a crisp pace, and the conflicts in the film are delivered casually. On the surface the murder is the most important event in the film, but it is treated in a nonchalant way. Indeed, the film never takes itself seriously. It is a gentle, amicable study of characters and social behaviors. Gosford Park shines went it focuses on characters. The characters all have rich personalites, thanks to screenwriter Julian Fellowes. Their histories and personalities are explored slowly as the plot unfolds. The characters are played by talented actors, and the actors have excellent dialogue to work with. The screenplay is abound with witty remarks and considerate observations. Gosford Park is warm and comfortable like an old coat. Its character interactions are affecting and genuine, and the story is enjoyable. Gosford Park has wonderful craftsmanship, an intelligent script, and a warm mood. It is well paced and well composed. I highly recommend, Gosford Park, an warm and fulfilling motion picture. review by supernothingman |
| 1/2 |