Gosford Park

Movie: Gosford Park
Language: English
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Mystery
Director: Robert Altman
Year: 2001
Watched on: 12 June 2005
Reviews:

Chandrakanth: **** (4/5)
Gosford Park is an interesting murder mystery set in 1930's in Great Britain. The time is November 1932. Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and Lady Sylvia McCordle (Kristin Scott Thomas) have invited a houseful of guests for a shooting party. They include Sir William's sister Constance, the Countess of Trentham (Maggie Smith), who depends on an allowance he is constantly threatening to withdraw. Lady Sylvia's sister Louisa (Geraldine Somerville), who like Sylvia had to marry for moneyand her husband Commander Anthony Meredith (Tom Hollander). And their sister Lavinia (Natasha Wightman), married to Raymond, Lord Stockbridge (Charles Dance). Then there are folksfrom Hollywood, Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam), the Actor, Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban), a gay Hollywood producer who has brought along his "valet" Henry Denton (Ryan Phillippe). Below stairs we meet the butler Jennings (Alan Bates), the housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren), the cook Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins), the footman George (Richard E. Grant) and assorted other valets, maids, grooms and servers. The story slowly unfolds and throws each character under light exposing their dark sides, their relationships with the rest especially with William McCordle. The party comes to an abrupt halt when William McCrodle is found dead in the library. Everyone is a suspect and a motive to kill Mr. McCrodle can be attached to everyone. Script, characterization and performances are good and they successfully create the baronial splendor. The movie is more of social satire than a murder mystery.

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