PRESIDENTS AREN'T LIVE ACTION FIGURINES....... '
While I appreciate the expertise & execution of Mr. Solinas skilled review in his assessment viewing Hyde Park on Hudson as a boring biopic, ..... as one who was not alive during his administration, I appreciate the intimate "fly on the wall" look at one of this nation's (and the worlds) most iconic leaders - his strengths, fears, and foibles as the world approached its second world war. I can't help believe that most people would jump at an opportunity to witness or learn what it was like for those involved and what was going on behind closed doors at such a fateful time. The movie was supposedly based upon a book written by a distant cousin who came to assist him during those difficult times - only to become the latest object of his affections. It strips away the veneer that historic figures attain and shows such leaders are real people too - not iconic cartoonish live action figurines. They are subject to same physical & emotional challenges, desires, fears, and...
A Busy Weekend for FDR
"Hyde Park on Hudson" stars Bill Murray as Frankin D.Roosevelt and takes place during a summer weekend in 1939 at his Hudson Valley estate when he hosted England's King George VI (Samuel West), who hoped to gain America's support in the coming war. At the same time, according to the film, Roosevelt was pursuing an extramarital affair with a distant cousin, Daisy Suckley (Laura Linney).
Richard Nelson's script portrays Roosevelt as both a master of political gamesmanship and a manipulator of the women around him -- wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams), Daisy, and his private secretary, Missy (Elizabeth Marvel). Murray, who might not seem a first choice to portray Roosevelt, conveys both the President's charm and a dark side rarely seen in public. His Roosevelt is surely the ideal host, going out of his way to make his guests feel comfortable, happy, and welcome.
The film has a voyeuristic quality, with the audience as willing spectators checking out a Roosevelt who...
SOMETIMES A HOTDOG IS JUST A HOTDOG
This review is from: Hyde Park on Hudson (Amazon Instant Video)
This is an unusual and remarkably private view of the life of FDR (Bill Murray). It is told mostly in first person from the view of Daisy (Laura Linney) his distant cousin and mistress. This story is based on her private letters and diaries discovered after her death. We have no reason to doubt them. As such the story is as much about her as it is FDR, a complex man whose multiple sides are now revealed to everyone. He was a nice philanderer.
The main point of plot interest is when the King and Queen of England come to America. England was headed for war with Germany and will desperately need our assistance. (Plot spoiler: We help the UK and win.) However they visit at a time when the President has mistress issues. They see him having to be carried from location to location. FDR has a way of charming, but at the same time humbling the monarchy. King Edward (Samuel West) was indeed remarkable and...
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