Hyde Park on Hudson

Focus Features | Release Date: December 7, 2012

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Ratings

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MarcDoyleDec 12, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A couple of scenes in Hyde Park on Hudson are spectacular - one of which is the first night that the King of England meets privately and informally with Roosevelt in his study over drinks and smokes. Historically interesting and very emotional, I would have loved to have seen this as the basis for the movie. Instead, we get another story of a US president who wants a tug-job and more from 4 or 5 of his female aids, advisers, and distant cousins. As soon as that Animal House moment hits: "Is it supposed to be this soft?" my anticipation and excitement for the movie took a nosedive. And when Daisy (Linney) realizes that she's not FDR's only mistress and the levers of power kick into gear to convince her to stick around despite her anger, the remainder of the movie becomes trivial. I would have loved to see time devoted to FDR's decision to help the British. Instead, we learn how Daisy's diaries were found, which led to this not-so-exciting story. So yes, Murray and Linney are terrific. But I would have preferred to have seen them in a more substantial film.… Expand

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GreatMartinJan 11, 2013

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BHBarryDec 9, 2012

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TVJerryJan 7, 2013

The title refers to Franklin Roosevelt's personal home, where he sought solitude and escape from his Presidential duties. It's here that the first English king ever to step foot in the US comes to visit and ask for support against Hitler.The title refers to Franklin Roosevelt's personal home, where he sought solitude and escape from his Presidential duties. It's here that the first English king ever to step foot in the US comes to visit and ask for support against Hitler. This makes for entertaining social/political moments, thanks largely to the delightful performances by Samuel West and Olivia Colman as the monarchs. However, the story is told through the eyes of one of the President's "companions" (Laura Linney), so it takes on a decidedly emotional essence. Bill Murray does a fine job as Roosevelt and the other performances are uniformly engaging. The setting, art direction and cinematography are attractive, but this the surprise/dissappointment is that the majority of the focus is on the woman's personal journey. This softens the whole thing and make is more of a prestige chick flick.… Expand

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hoops2448Apr 23, 2013

Hyde Park on Hudson tells two stories and because of it, it feels like two films, one excellent, the other not so much. The film follows a weekend hosted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) for the king of England George the 6th andHyde Park on Hudson tells two stories and because of it, it feels like two films, one excellent, the other not so much. The film follows a weekend hosted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) for the king of England George the 6th and his wife queen Elizabeth. They are coming to ask for assistance in the unavoidable conflict that is the 2nd world war despite the fact it hasn't started yet. Meanwhile sixth cousin to FDR, Daisy begins a romantic affair with the president. The first story Hyde Park on Hudson introduces you to is that of Daisy (Laura Linney), the innocent woman who narrates most of this odd tale. However the Daisy represented at the beginning of the film is drastically different from that of the end of the film, for starters shes likable. Some might say for good films to be good the characters must change and to an extent that is true. However when a character changes so drastically and so unrealistically it ruins the story you are watching, you are left with a nagging feeling that this shouldn't happen. Such is the problem with Hyde Park on Hudson, a story about a shy woman finding her voice, its just shocking and slightly disgusting that the voice she finds within her is one I have absolutely no desire to listen to or follow. Not only does this new version of her emerge in a final act so rushed you might forget it even took place. It turns Daisy into what I can only describe as a manipulative concubine as if instantly and without logical reason. This long offensive picture does help its cause with its second story, the story that Daisy witnesses but never affects. When the king and queen arrive the film livens up and finally has something interesting to say. Not only does their story have a dark, serious war shaped core but it is also a jovial, light hearted tale of the differences and similarities of two countries and how through a simple act of desperation/hope they rekindled a connection that was long since severed. This story is one of friendship and joy, of fear and dread too and that's the kind of story I want to watch. The performances in the film are good and when it comes to Bill Murray and Olivia Coleman they are extraordinary but it can't help the film recover from a severe problem with its lead character. Linney herself is fine in the role and she makes do with what she is given but ultimately the film tells her story in a way that removes the viewers empathy and interest, you think she deserves what happens to her in the final act and maybe even something worse. The script has serious problems, most of which are plot related but there are also a few clunkers hidden away in the great dialogue. Ulitmately the film is let down by its director (Roger Mitchell) who portrays FDR more like the creepy uncle than the man behind the curtain, the wizard capable of doing great things while also having his many flaws. He somehow manages to show him as a wonderful man, a great leader and a man full of virtue and then flip him into something dark, camp and creepy, almost as creepy as the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. These changes cause huge tone problems and unfortunately Daisy gets stuck in the middle and gets indoctrinated by the wrong version of the man, the perverted old wretch who has nothing of value to say. If I wanted to watch a film that unintentionally ruins the persona of a president due to terrible direction and bad plotting I'd watch W. again.… Expand

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lahaine2012Jan 9, 2013

Of the heels of the exceptional 'Lincoln' comes the lackluster 'Hyde Park on Hudson'. Its a movie about the affair between President Roosevelt and his distant cousin; and it' also accounts the weekend visit of the King and Queen of the UK inOf the heels of the exceptional 'Lincoln' comes the lackluster 'Hyde Park on Hudson'. Its a movie about the affair between President Roosevelt and his distant cousin; and it' also accounts the weekend visit of the King and Queen of the UK in 1939. I was hardly impressed with this this dull, ditsy biopics, that does nothing to advance this president or the events that took place. It's not that the subject was bad, it's the way the story was written and directed that made it lame. Bombarded with lazy narrations, irked by the distasteful presentation of the facts and repulsed by its baity approach, I could barely find it in me to write this review. Though there was high production value and efforts made by Bill Murray to charm; the film was simply an un-insightful dud, that's sure to be forgotten in a matter of minutes.… Expand

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Mab_987Dec 15, 2012

By far the most underwhelming movie I've seen this year. I feel like one major problem of this movie is that it can't decide whether it wants to be a dramatic historically accurate biopic along the lines of Lincoln or some kind ofBy far the most underwhelming movie I've seen this year. I feel like one major problem of this movie is that it can't decide whether it wants to be a dramatic historically accurate biopic along the lines of Lincoln or some kind of history-based comedy, and as a result it falls short in both departments. This is mostly thanks to the fact that there are so many elements of FDR's life being crammed in that it all feels underdeveloped & underexplained to someone much as myself who doesn't know very much about him or the events surrounding him during the course of the movie, and at times it felt very disjointed & uncohesive. I kinda understood what was going on but not enough to really become invested in the situation. Also, as I said, this movie is very underwhelming in nearly all areas, especially in the first half when there is absolutely no good humor or emotional weight, or anything patiularly interesting happening really. Doesn't help that a lot of the "development" was provided by a very forced & unnecessary continuous voiceover, by one of the characters, that did nothing but spew exposition so the actual story didn't have to. If there's anything positive to say here it's that it picks up a bit in the second half, even though by that point it's too little too late. There were a couple hilarious moments then, one when the king was asked before the picnic if he would have a hot dog & another when he actually does eat the hot-dog, which is full of hilariously awkward suspense & will remain one of my absolute favorite movie scenes of 2012. Still, one brilliant scene & well-done acting all around can't save Hyde Park on Hudson from mediocrity, and it gets a 55/100 from me.… Expand

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JustMaxPleaseJan 25, 2013

It is slow only for the briefest moments and the humor has a delightfully sunny quality to it, as does Murray's performance. Bill Murray is the best he's ever been and Laura Linney is at the top of her game. This is a sleeper at the OscarsIt is slow only for the briefest moments and the humor has a delightfully sunny quality to it, as does Murray's performance. Bill Murray is the best he's ever been and Laura Linney is at the top of her game. This is a sleeper at the Oscars this year and if competition wasn't so thick with great performances in the acting categories they both would be worthy for a nomination. It also is a good companion piece for those who enjoyed The King's Speech.… Expand

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DCEdmondsNov 13, 2014

"Hyde Park on Hudson" 10 Scale Rating: 4.0 (Bad) ...

The Good: Bill Murray was amazing as FDR. The execution was lacking, but the subject matter was interesting. The Bad: Slow and boring, the film puts you to sleep with it's pacing."Hyde Park on Hudson" 10 Scale Rating: 4.0 (Bad) ...

The Good: Bill Murray was amazing as FDR. The execution was lacking, but the subject matter was interesting.

The Bad: Slow and boring, the film puts you to sleep with it's pacing. Most of the time you find yourself waiting until Murray re-appears on screen as no one else is even remotely interesting. The film takes some liberties with history, which I am usually fine with to an extent, but some were glaring and difficult to ignore.… Expand

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DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021

I found this film to be a bit slow and rambling and while the characters were interesting, there wasn't enough obvious plot direction or development to keep me really glued. I'm a big fan of Bill Murray and I thought his performance as FDRI found this film to be a bit slow and rambling and while the characters were interesting, there wasn't enough obvious plot direction or development to keep me really glued. I'm a big fan of Bill Murray and I thought his performance as FDR wasn't bad - he comes across as a bit of an eccentric but a relatively laidback one. I also enjoyed seeing Olivia Colman playing Queen Elizabeth - there is a somewhat amusing aspect of it whereby the British royals don't know quite what to make of the different, American culture they find themselves faced with. There is definitely an element of pompousness present as well, I felt.

I believe the film is based on a true story, if but loosely - I'd be more interested to read about the real story, than see a semi fake reconstruction.

Overall the film was a bit too bland for my personal taste - not utterly unwatchable but a little plodding, twee even, if anything. However, if you enjoy period/costume dramas and like Olivia Colman and/or Bill Murray then you may enjoy this, its a fairly average watch but thats about it, in my opinion. I did wonder if some of the dialogue was meant in a tongue in cheek way but I suppose we'll never know. I also felt that the music (classical/orchestral pieces)was a bit distractingly loud at times as well, as if the filmmakers were desperately trying to make the viewers feel utterly taken in and absorbed by the film and I found that off-putting personally.… Expand

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