Film Review: "Hyde Park on Hudson" (2013).

"One weekend will unite two great nations...after cocktails of course!" This is the story of Hyde Park on Hudson. This British historical comedy-drama film directed by Roger Michell, written by Richard Nelson, and based on Daisy Suckley’s private journals and diaries, discovered after her death. In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt readies to host the King and Queen of England for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – marking the first-ever visit of a reigning British monarch to America. As Britain faces imminent war with Germany, the royals are desperately looking to FDR for U.S. support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as his wife Eleanor, mother Sara, and secretary Missy will all play a part in making the royal weekend an unforgettable one.

Nelson was inspired by the story of Suckley after reading a posthumously published collection of her letters and diaries. He felt drawn to the story because of the unique perspective Daisy offered on a series of important historical events. He also connected with the setting, since Nelson lives in Rhinebeck and had even met Daisy briefly before she died in 1991. Originally conceived as an idea for a film, Nelson's choice of director, Michell, proved immediately unavailable. Nelson re-worked the script as a radio play, which was produced by the BBC in 2009, directed by Ned Chaillet. Once Michell became available, production began on the film. In early March 2011, Michell started searching for U.S. actors to play President Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. Later that month, Bill Murray agreed to play Roosevelt. Securing Murray took approximately a year, a notoriously difficult feat as Murray is very secretive about giving out his cell number. Michell met with actress Laura Linney on the set of her acclaimed TV series, The Big C (2010) to discuss her taking the lead female role of Daisy in this film. Principal photography took place in London, England, where production designer Simon Bowles recreated 1930s upstate New York. Prior to the start of filming, Michell immersed himself in research at the "FDR Presidential Library & Museum" in Hyde Park, New York State, USA. Murray, Linney and Nelson spent time there as well, and all toured all of the grounds and buildings of Hyde Park on Hudson.

The film stars Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Samuel West, Olivia Colman, and Olivia Williams. The performances, epsecially from Murray and Linney, was one of the film's principal attractions. Funny thing: Even if Murray never "becomes" FDR in the fullest and most satisfying sense, his performance takes hold of your imagination and makes the misgivings almost irrelevant. With their comedic charms turned up, the appealing, impeccably professional Murray and Linney rise to the acting occasion.

Murray and Linney gave masterful performances in Hyde Park on Hudson, a predictable but stylishly produced and rousing period drama. Mitchell's richly enjoyable and handsomely produced movie is a massively confident crowd-pleaser.

Simon says Hyde Park on Hudson receives: