Gosford Park

source: Gosford Park

Is this Robert Altman at his best or worst? GOSFORD PARK is a slow moving all-star murder mystery. A beastly owner of a 1930's British estate is killed during a weekend shooting party and upper crust get together. The movie is very wordy and mostly with bad accents. The murder event is not as important as the attitudes and suspicions between the high class guests and their servants. The cast members dialogue make the movie. You either find this entertaining or pretty lame. Wardrobes and sets are outstanding. Notable among this large cast are: Kristin Scott Thomas, Eileen Atkins, Michael Gambon, Jeremy Northam, Kelly Macdonald, Maggie Smith, Emily Watson and Ryan Phillippe. A hot buttered rum sounds good about now. Brandy if its handy.

A must see. There is a huge cast, witty dialogue, and nail-biting suspense. My friend and I just watched the film on pay per view last night and I would say I was impressed to say the least. It was definitely not what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised with how the movie turned out. You should see it!

Gosford Park is a great movie that shows us a brief glimpse at how life was for the aristocrats of the 1930s. The movie is interesting to me mainly because of the painstaking detail that was put into each scene. Robert Altman did an excellent job with the character interaction that takes place throughout the movie. Also, it is interesting to pay attention to how Altman separated the upper class from their servants. He makes sure to show a sharp distinction between the two. I enjoyed this film extensively and still catch things each time I see it. If you haven't seen the movie, it is on pay-per-view now!

My wife picked this one! Boring, more boring, and even more boring describes this dog of a film. Why most the scenes where even shot is a mystery as they added nothing to the story. It shows one the different class structure which still exists today. I am glad I did not waste my money and see it in the theatre. The previews were deceiving; it made it look like the game clue. I thought from the previews it would of been more exciting. I was sure wrong. Avoid this one at all costs. 2/10

First of all I have to mention that I am not an Altman fan. I find his movies confusing, slow, boring, and basically unwatchable. I love film in general, but for some reason I can't seem to appreciate Altman's work. I found this movie, especially, like all his other movies: confusing, boring, slow, and not worth the time it took to watch the movie. That's just my opinion on it, and I'm sure people will disagree with me and call his films "works of art," but I'd rather spend my time watching a film where I can at least understand the dialogue.

I'm not a big Robert Altman fan. I usually steer clear from most of his films, certainly after experiencing Quintet and Popeye years ago. But I have to say that I really loved Gosford Park. Personally, I think the film is TOO simple for its own good. The resolution is too matter of fact, certainly compared to the way the rest of the movie was deliberately filmed in a quasi-spontaneous, free flowing way. I wished the ending would have been less melodramatic. But with that said, I still think this movie is beautiful and brilliant. It's like watching a painting, where the scenery and people move about. I can't wait to buy the DVD. One day, when I'll have a High Definition TV, I'll play GP's DVD and simply watch it like a painting.

I suspect this movie wouldn't suit an ordinary movie goers palate, but that's just my feeling, feel free to ignore it. If I had to recommend it, I would recommend it to real movie aficionados and wouldn't guarantee them any particular aftertaste. Its a love it or hate it kind of movie. I loved it and here're the reasons. Excellent ensemble drama. Well directed. Well acted. Very well written. Excellently cast. Just like chess pieces everyone in its right place and serves its purpose, though the canvas is so big that its hard to keep track of all the characters. Not a fast paced movie but certainly not dreary. It's a true auteur's movie. It makes you wonder about the hard work and craftsmanship put into writing and directing it.

NOT FOR EVERYONE. Robet Altman handles a dozen overlapping and intersecting storylines masterfully. Somewhere in the middle of all of that there is a murder but its resolution is incidental to the many other things going on. The script was excellent, but the movie itself is a plethora of magnificent performances. Reminded me a bit of clue and the movie had very real social commentary. The story itself is an achievement as it focuses on the characters rather than the plot. The film illimuniates a way of life on verge of extinction, placing the interwar setting as an integral part of the whole movie.