Hyde Park on the Hudson

In 1939, the world is on the brink of another world war. A war that the United States does not want to be drawn into, having just emerged from the Great Economic Depression with great difficulty. Nevertheless, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Bill Murray) together with his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) receives the British King George VI (Samuel West) and his wife Elizabeth (Olivia Coleman) on a beautiful June weekend at his country estate Hyde Park on the Hudson to accept the request for an American participation in the war. During the visit, social and cultural differences clash, with Elizabeth in particular quickly feeling slighted. The best premise, then, for a turbulent weekend, complicated by the presence of Margaret Daisy Stuckley, a distant cousin of the president. For Daisy is linked by a passionate affair with Roosevelt, which threatens to get out of hand on this weekend of all weekends.

With Hyde Park on the Hudson, director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Morning Glory) attempts to retell a historical event against a sombre backdrop in a light, often humorous way. On top of that, the whole thing is spiced up by some rather unusual romance and refined with a bit of drama, which in the end should make for a tasty and entertaining whole. With Bill Murray a leading actor was engaged, who radiates comedy and seriousness in equal measure and thus is also perfect for the dramaturgical mix of the film. And also the location in England, not far from London, proves to be a real stroke of luck. A good director, an interesting story with a true background, an excellent ensemble of actors and a picturesque location - nothing can really go wrong.

Unfortunately, Michell proves that even the best ingredients can leave a pale taste. There's no question that Murray plays the US president confined to a wheelchair by polio quite wonderfully. It is a great pleasure to watch him as he charms his fellow men and then manipulates them to his liking. Especially the scenes between Roosevelt and King George are just great in this respect, humorous and at the same time enigmatic. And also when Roosevelt organizes a cheerful hot dog picnic for his guests, which doesn't want to conform to British snobbery at all, the viewer gets delicious entertainment.

However, especially the character of Daisy Suckley, from whose diaries the film was inspired, and her relationship to the president seems like a strange foreign body in the action, which makes the whole production seem extremely indecisive. It's all pretty to look at, but a coherent overall picture just doesn't want to emerge. Hyde Park on the Hudson is neither fish nor fowl, which is why in the end we are left with the certainty that Michell would have done better if he had limited his story to the visit of the king to the president. Because the whole love drama, although well acted, is just too much of a good thing. Therefore: for friends of the cultivated British humor and entertaining equipment films well worth seeing, but overall rather a wasted opportunity for a really great film!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp