Biopics seem to very much to be the flavour of the week at the moment. With the Oscar nominated and highly regarded Lincoln, and the Psycho expose that is Hitchcock. Hyde Park on Hudson takes a very similar route. Rather than going for an epic birth-to-death biopic, these films take a significant microcosm of events and display them on screen.
Hyde Park on Hudson is based loosely on a collection of letters and diaries left by FDR’s distant cousin, Daisy, telling of her connection with FDR and how over several years they became rather close. What could have been a tell all tale of sordid affairs comes off as a rather comical and charming film, if slightly muddled. Hyde Park on Hudson’s problem is the parallel story of King Bertie and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to FDR’s mother’s house, which is an attempt by shy Bertie to get the Americans to help us out during World War II.
As a result many will almost see parallels with the Award behemoth that was The King’s Speech, a film that dealt with a set of events that occurred not too long after the events in Hyde Park on Hudson.
The charm of the film is exuded by the bucket load from Bill Murray playing FDR. His portrayal isn’t the best but he definitely brings that Murray charm to the role. The cast is impressive, with Olivia Williams playing FDR’s wife Eleanor and giving a solid performance. The film’s star has to be Laura Linney though who plays Daisy, a shy woman who is propelled into the life of her long lost relative who over the span of the films events becomes a crouch, someone FDR can call too in his time of need. The more intimate scenes are dealt with respectfully and come off as a cheeky wink and nothing more. The film does have some slightly dark moments but these are suggested rather than rammed home and the overall feeling of the film is rather light.
The cinematography of the film at times is fantastic. Director Roger Michell regularly features great tracking shots full of rich greens and open vistas – at this point it’s worth mentioning that although the historical events of the film took place in the US, all of the film was in fact shot in the U.K. These shots contrast greatly with the busy overcrowded sequences within FDR’s mother’s house and you can see why an ailing old president sought solace within the quiet countryside.
Hyde Park on Hudson is unfortunately all charm and not too much substance. The film is enjoyable with a strong take on an important event in both US and UK history, but even so at times it feels rather throwaway. It’s a lost midsummer night rather than anything of significant weight and importance. The events in the film are often played too much for comedic charm and you don’t really feel as if these great characters of history were more than comedic elements, especially in regards to King George and Queen Elizabeth.
Overall Verdict: A charming little film with an impressive attempt at telling a historical event in the most lighthearted of ways. Hyde Park on Hudson despite losing focus at times is still a throughly enjoyable film.
Reviewer: Gareth Haworth