In an effort to make grading over the weekend a little less painful, I decided to re-watch an old favorite, Gosford Park. Having not seen the movie in several years, I was excited to rediscover it and loved it even more. Even the music was better than I remembered. Gosford Park is truly a beautiful movie chalk full of amazing actors with sets and costumes that are mesmerizing.
The basic storyline centers around an English manor house full for the weekend for a hunting party. An unexpected murder takes all by surprise, and the plots takes some beautifully unexpected turns--especially at the very end. Well, that is what happens, but the movie is really about life "above stairs" versus life "below stairs." While it is fascinating to see the guests navigate the nuances of the intricate levels aristocracy, but it is even more interesting to see the interactions of the servants living and working downstairs and the way they engage with their employers. The contrast of these two coexisting worlds is so intriguing.
I give this movie an almost perfect score--9.5. The movie's weakest link is Ryan Phillippe as the American posing as a Scottish valet. But now that I think about it, his overacting and seeming obliviousness actually kind of work for his character as the arrogant and clueless American. The pace of Gosford Park is very slow, so if you are going to watch it, make sure you are in the mood just to sit back and enjoy a well-written script, a remarkable ensemble cast, and some beautiful cinematography . I highly recommend it.
The basic storyline centers around an English manor house full for the weekend for a hunting party. An unexpected murder takes all by surprise, and the plots takes some beautifully unexpected turns--especially at the very end. Well, that is what happens, but the movie is really about life "above stairs" versus life "below stairs." While it is fascinating to see the guests navigate the nuances of the intricate levels aristocracy, but it is even more interesting to see the interactions of the servants living and working downstairs and the way they engage with their employers. The contrast of these two coexisting worlds is so intriguing.
I give this movie an almost perfect score--9.5. The movie's weakest link is Ryan Phillippe as the American posing as a Scottish valet. But now that I think about it, his overacting and seeming obliviousness actually kind of work for his character as the arrogant and clueless American. The pace of Gosford Park is very slow, so if you are going to watch it, make sure you are in the mood just to sit back and enjoy a well-written script, a remarkable ensemble cast, and some beautiful cinematography . I highly recommend it.
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