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Gosford Park Main Cast:
Director: Robert Altman Rating: 3 Stars - Worth a watch. Plot Summary: Sir William and Lady McCordle (Michael Gambon and Kristin Scott Thomas) are holding a weekend shooting party at their vast stately home at Gosford Park. Their guests arrive with their maids and menservants and the staff of the house begin to organise things for the weekend. Housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren) keeps things moving like clockwork and ensures that the rules of the house are strictly observed. Meanwhile upstairs the quests are manoeuvring themselves to get close to the wealthy Sir William McCordle… Review: This is an interesting look at life in a stately home in Britain in the 1930’s. It looks at the life and work of all the employees from the kitchen staff to the personal maids and menservants. It provides a great insight into the work involved in running and maintaining the house. It also looks at the wealthy people “upstairs”. Some are pompous and full of their own self-importance, while others are hoping to win favour with those who have the most money. The camera moves quickly from one conversation to another as it moves among the guests and staff at the house. Soon a huge complicated web of intertwined characters and sub-plots develops. This is very interesting at the beginning but after awhile the film drags a bit and becomes a little uneventful. Some very funny lines and snide comments help to counteract this. There is a murder that happens over half way into the film. This Agatha Christie element only lifts the interest momentarily and the film remains lacking in any real suspense or intrigue. This is not meant to be a murder mystery film and there is no element of expectation in waiting to find out who did it. The film is more about the different people in the house and their lives. There are some interesting characters and the cast put in excellent performances all round. In particular Maggie Smith plays the spiteful Countess Trentham excellently. Helen Mirren also puts in a good performance as Mrs. Wilson the housekeeper. Reviewed by Niall Quinn, PremierMovieReviews 2002 MAINPAGE RECENT CINEMA RELEASES RECENT VIDEO RELEASES THE ARCHIVES |