Review: Gosford Park (2001)

This is a Resurfaced review written in 2002 or earlier. For more information, please visit this link: Resurfaced Reviews.

Gosford Park

Rating

Director

Robert Altman

Screenplay

Julian Fellowes, Robert Altman, Bob Balaban

Length

2h 17m

Starring

Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Camilla Rutherford, Charles Dance, Geraldine Somerville, Tom Hollander, Natasha Wightman, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban, James Wilby, Claudia Blakeley, Laurence Fox, Trent Ford, Ryan Phillippe, Stephen Fry, Ron Webster, Kelly Macdonald, Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, Emily Watson, Alan Bates, Derek Jacobi, Richard E. Grant, Jeremy Swift

MPAA Rating

Review

An English manor, rich socialites and house servants fill Robert Altman’s grandiose “Gosford Park,” a murder mystery in the grand old British style.

An array of characters march through the manor doors to meet and greet the friends they only see at these types of events. On the other side of the complex, the servants gather and prepare their owners’ rooms and meals. They work non-stop while their masters relax.

Like the British series “Upstairs, Downstairs,” “Gosford Park” looks at the relationships that develop between the upper and lower classes. There are several characters that are more notable than others. We’ll start with the upper classes and Dame Maggie Smith as Constance, Countess of Trentham. Her caustic wit is a welcome refresher to the more subdued humors of the other guests. She always has something to say about everything. In one scene, when speaking with American film producer Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban) on his new Charlie Chan film production, she wants to know who the murderer was and Weissman will not reveal it. She asks him to go ahead and tell them because “none of us will see it anyway.”

Other denizens of the manner include Lady Sylvia McCordle (Kristen Scott Thomas) wife to the lord of the manner Sir William (Michael Gambon). Sir William is having an affair with one of his servants, Elsie the head housemaid (Emily Watson). Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam) has accompanied producer Weissman on his trip to the countryside to help get the appropriate ambience for their film.

The servants are lead by Jane Wilson (Helen Mirren), the head of the household staff, who considers herself to be the epitome of the British servant knowing when everyone wants something before they know they want it. Other servants important to the story include Mary (Kelly Macdonald), Constance’s new handmaid and Ryan Phillippe as Weissman’s valet.

“Gosford Park” is a comedy of manners, with similar themes to those in works by Oscar Wilde. Everyone is so prim and proper, but beneath the solid exterior are beasts that pounce upon unsuspecting pray. Like the countess who keeps up a sharp wit bottled behind a rough exterior. She looks poorly on those who did not earn money the old fashioned way when she is borrowing money from cousin William.

The pretense is what makes the film as exciting as it is. Unfortunately, it drags on for too long and the Agatha Christie-style murder mystery is too plain and easily solved. Altman masterfully directs an all-star cast with Smith easily the best of the bunch. Mirren, too, is terrific in her unflinching performance as a woman who puts on a very brave exterior while bubbling under with emotion. The rest of the cast plays to their admirable best, including a surprising turn by heartthrob actor Phillippe.

The design is impeccable as it always is in these kinds of films and the writing captures the class and emotional struggles perfectly. Much of its weaknesses lie in its strengths. A film that so accurately reflects a society that’s relatively stuffy, but brimming with intrigue can be bogged down in its own weight, even when much of its contents are expected.

“Gosford Park” will appeal to audiences who enjoy Henry James adaptations. It is a true British costume drama with plenty of subtle, under currents that leave the viewer pleased, but ultimately unfulfilled.