Mr Black Finally got a chance to see this movie the other night. I had never even heard of it and came upon it by chance. The only reason I bought it was because Bill Murray is in it. I must say, as films go, style wise this is a really well done film. Beautiful cinematography, great art design and fantastic costumes. Superb. The story is interesting and fun to watch. I think, however, what the film really did was to show what a creep FDR really was, and how cheap Elenor Roosevelt was. The truth is FDR really was a martini drinking alcoholic knocking back a dozen a day. I thought the performances all around well exceptional. I would have never thought of casting Bill Murray as FDR but he was exceptional and a good dramatic actor. I'll wait a year, then bring it out again and re-watch and see if I think the same thing. Cheers!

Python Hyena Hyde Park on Hudson (2012): Dir: Roger Mitchell / Cast: Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Samuel West, Olivia Coleman, Olivia Williams: Amusing political comedy set in 1939 about the meeting of two high powers. It stars Bill Murray as President Franklyn D. Roosevelt whose battle with polio has him unable to use his legs yet he maintains his dignity. Laura Linney plays distant cousin Daisy who learns that she is amongst several mistresses in Roosevelt's service. Samuel West and Olivia Coleman enter as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in hopes of gaining assistance for the upcoming war. Director Roger Mitchell has had success with romantic comedies such as Notting Hill and Morning Glory. Here he plays a more political hand but the results are sometimes slow, and despite amusing comic moments the adultery theme is perhaps a little too applauded or accepted. Murray is terrific translating into a President who whisks women away into the country via motor vehicle. Linney is fine as Daisy who narrates and desires to confront Roosevelt with regards to the other women but then just accepts it as his behaviour. Her fleeing through the woods seems to be a disjointed thriller placement. West and Coleman provide great foils as royalty taken aback by the country housing and a picnic featuring hot dogs as the main course. Olivia Williams appears as Eleanor Roosevelt. Great looking comic period piece that features a President of down to earth means and an ability to win over any guests with his modern lifestyle and life lessons where no legs leaves plenty of gain. Score: 8 / 10

Philip Hogan (Kurtz9791) In some film portraits of famous people, it can be common for filmmakers to not directly focus on the prominent historical figure, but to have a side character (sometimes fictional) tell the story from their point of view. Sometimes this is done because the celebrity at the film's focus might be so larger than life that it is too difficult to tell their story their way. The side character becomes an extension of the audience, a way for them to get inside the world of the film and let them into the private lives of public people. Think about the 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland" about Idi Amin, only told through the perspective of his fictional Scottish doctor. But in the case of Roger Michell's "Hyde Park on Hudson", it might be because the filmmakers are not sure what story they really want to tell.We start the movie with narration from Daisy, a distant cousin of FDR who begins an implied affair with the leader of the free world in the spring of 1939 while the President stays at his mother's home in upstate New York, the title of the picture. Practically all of the film's problems stem from this character. There are some schools of thought that say narration in a film is the easy way out. I think it can be used quite creatively, but in "Hyde Park on Hudson", it feels too much like it's filling in the expository details that the script couldn't manage.While this relationship might have some historical fact to it, it really doesn't warrant a feature length film. What's worse is that they got a great actress in the form of Laura Linney to play such a thankless and empty role. And it's the main character! There are some humanizing touches that reveal how she is caught in between two worlds, but the filmmakers would have been wiser to focus on another aspect to tell the story.The film never feels like it starts until the King and Queen of England are introduced. They come to visit the President at his home away from the White House to confirm that they are in fact allies right before Europe goes up in flames. Played by Samuel West and Olivia Colman respectively, they add some of the films funniest moments as well as dramatic. History buffs will be disappointed after a little research to learn that this film and what it depicts are mostly a work of fiction, a historical chamber piece that takes great liberties for the sake of entertainment. However, the most enjoyable moments come from watching the King and Queen's fish out of water take on their American hosts.I haven't even mentioned Bill Murray's performance as President Roosevelt, the film's saving grace and perhaps the best thing about it. Because of the confused script, Murray only has about one scene of meaty dialogue and a chance to showcase his acting. It is a late night drink between the two world leaders where they exchange vulnerabilities that is the heart of the film. Murray's witty sensibilities as an actor work well with the laid back depiction of FDR. Whether he is arguing with the women in his life or mentally messing with his Royal guests, he is brilliant.So what we end up with is a missed opportunity. We have a film that doesn't really know what it wants to say, and thus ends up feeling like two different movies, one very good and the other meandering. Still, the whole thing is a harmless (and short) affair, and worth seeing if you are a fan of Bill Murray.

Prismark10 Hyde Park on Hudson is actually a light frothy film but never delivers in its intent and purpose. Its whimsical but lacking in core and even heart.Laura Linney is Daisy; a distant cousin to FDR who is sent to help with FDR's wandering mind and calm him. She accompanies on his drives to the country and keeps him company before FDR takes more carnal pleasures from her and she is willing tom give it. However although Daisy narrates the story, she is not the prime focus and it becomes clear that FDR has dallied with other ladies.The film then changes track and deals with the events of the first Royal visit to the USA of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth whose main purpose was to gather support for the impending war in Europe.There seems to be apprehension and discomfort from both sides as to how to behave and the welcome they will get. FDR's mother is supportive of the Royal family, his wife seems to be distant and FDR kind of caught in the middle. There is a culture clash with the King and Queen bemused with the looming picnic and the serving of Hot Dogs which is kind of the metaphor of this film. Why the King never asked anyone what Hod Dogs were or whether they were going to eat literal dogs highlights the films failings.The performances of Bill Murray as FDR and Laura Linney is good but it sidelined some of the more interesting characters that we would like to see more from such as Eleanor Roosevelt. A film that does not always make its intention clear just like FDR and Daisy.