Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)

A Major Disappointment

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Based on Franklin D. Roosevelt & Margaret "Daisy" Suckley's secret affair with a political touch, 'Hyde Park on Hudson' is interesting, but gets confused mid-way on what it wants to be. That being, a romantic-dramedy or a throwback on politics. Its the Writing that is a letdown, but the performances are of high regard here!'Hyde Park on Hudson' Synopsis: The story of the love affair between FDR and his distant cousin Margaret "Daisy" Suckley, centered around the weekend in 1939 when the King and Queen of the United Kingdom visited upstate New York.'Hyde Park on Hudson' begins well & watching the former President behind the curtains having an affair with a women caught under the depression, holds your attention. But, the narrative falls apart, when the sub-plot involving King George VI & his wife, takes charge. This addition to the story doesn't work & one loses interest. The love-story, as it is, had potential to continue & also end a bit more strongly. Sadly, that doesn't happen here!Richard Nelson's Screenplay provides some fine moments, but it isn't wholesome. As I wrote earlier, the sub-plot fails. The Writing needed to be more about the love-story. Roger Michell's Direction is classy. Lol Crawley's Cinematography is stunning & captures each moment, with flourish. Art & Costume Design are excellent. Editing is okay.Performance-Wise: Bill Murray as Franklin D. Roosevelt, is a joy to watch. He is exceptionally fine in his portrayal of the late president, giving us a man, who eventually, had his own faults & pluses. Laura Linney as Margaret "Daisy" Suckley, is wonderfully restrained. Linney & Murray share a quiet, effective chemistry on-screen, that speaks in volumes. Samuel West as King George VI, is earnest. Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth, leaves a mark. Olivia Williams as Eleanor Roosevelt, is first-rate.On the whole, 'Hyde Park on Hudson' never reaches its potential, but for fine acting alone, its worth a watch.

A lot of praises were given to Bill Murray and his acting as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I do not see that. While not hurting in any way, he was not convinced as a president with power and responsibility. This light-hearted film would not be so interesting if FDR was not a part of it. So the failure to makes him adequately presidential and FDR-like did hurt the film's believability to the degree of discard. No actor and actress had hurt the film either. The story went on as it was supposed to be. Beginning and end. Nothing was left to remember or to revisit. Now if the FDR's character was made to be closer to his real-life forceful personalities, the love story would have been well-remembered and imprinted. Even the caption right before the end credit could have brought tears to our eyes. The second failure of this film is the inability to link Daisy's role in the life of FDR and the now historic visit by Great Britain's royal couple. Two stories were presented quite emotionally separate and I think it is indeed a missed opportunity. The royal presence, in its glory and awkwardness, could have been used to shine a light on Daisy a common lady loved and in love with the US president. More details must be inserted to combine Franklin the man as well as a president in love. Missy's strange sacrifice should have been stressed further as we would understand much more of FDR lust or love. And the mother? Told in several ways to depict her as controlling and yet understanding, but, strangely so, she was not a part in FDR and his woman-inducing life. Same as Eleanor Roosevelt's character, though skilfully depicted by Olivia Williams, failing at revealing more depth. As far as films about FDR is concerned, my vote is higher for the works like "Warm Springs" or "Into The Storm".

If you like dreamy movies with atmosphere, this film is a sheer delight. The President emerges as a warm, immensely human persona, who urges his aids to spy on his somewhat controlling and volatile mother. The royal visit, though probably historically inaccurate, is displayed with tongue in cheek humor and excellent performances.Laura Linney is understated and poignant, with a hint of bittersweet.I was also surprised to find a Cherokee Dance at the royal picnic--who could ask for more in a movie?The British filming location adds a wistful and lovely atmosphere, intensifying the romantic and complex frolic of events.

I enjoyed this movie, it is entertaining mostly, but as I watched it something just didn't seem right. Later I read some comments by a FDR biographer and it cleared up a few things. An excerpt: " The story is ludicrous - any reading of Geoffrey Ward's book, "Closest Companion," which tells their story through her letters and diaries, indicates no intimate relationship. I have been writing and lecturing on FDR for decades and ...I have no doubt that this film is more of a parody and its conclusions should not be taken with any seriousness." So in truth they have taken a few real people and real events and made a movie which stretches the truth often, and sometimes simply invents things just to try to make it more interesting. FDR really did have a cousin Daisy, and they really did develop a close friendship, but the alleged affair appears to simply be made up. Plus a number of other things portrayed in this movie.The King and Queen of England really did visit him in 1939 at his Hyde Park on the Hudson retreat in New York, but what is depicted in the movie is more of a parody of them and their visit.Still for the most part I found it to be an enjoyable and entertaining movie as long as you don't take it too seriously. Bill Murray is FDR and Laura Linney is his 6th cousin Daisy. Olivia Williams seemed very appropriate as Eleanor Roosevelt.