Sunday, December 23, 2012

“Hyde Park on Hudson” – movie review


           Am I the last person on earth to learn that Franklin Roosevelt had an affair with his cousin, Daisy? Call me naïve. Call me uninterested. Of all the things Roosevelt did during his presidential reign, this is the last bit of trivia that I’d be curious about knowing more. I guess he had numerous affairs with female staffers as well.

          “Hyde Park on Hudson” staring Bill Murray as FDR and Laura Linney as Daisy, his sixth cousin, highlights one weekend in June, 1939, when the President hosts the King and Queen of England at his country home in upstate New York.

          War with Germany was imminent for Great Britain and America’s support was desperately needed; thus this first ever visit by a reigning British monarch to Hyde Park on Hudson. The international situation was melded in and overshadowed by FDR’s relationships with Daisy, his mother and other mistresses. The uncomfortable interactions and lack of warmth of the royals was well depicted

          It wouldn’t occur to me to cast Bill Murray in this role but his performance was plausible. I really know little about FDR personally so my assessment isn’t necessarily credible. It seemed impressive that the slapstick comic could play such a far flung opposite sort of character. Sure, I liked the period scenery, costumes and props, and the flow of this weekend in focus was well staged and easy to follow.

          Bottom line for me, however, I’m not sure I wanted this view of FDR, the political titan, and I couldn’t judge the performances beyond this feeling.
Two out of possible five ticket stubs

Thursday, December 13, 2012

"Hitchcock" - movie review

                                                                                        
          Seeing the latest Fox Searchlight Pictures production “Hitchcock” so close in time to viewing HBO’s production, “The Girl,” which spotlights Alfred Hitchcock’s obsessive relationships with many of his young actresses, may not have been such a great idea. Comparisons are unavoidable.

          “Hitchcock” also shines a light on Alfred’s strange almost maniacal involvement with many of his leading ladies, but it really is the story of his relationship with his wife, Alma, during the production of “Psycho,” the movie dubbed Hitch’s best.

          The movie is filled with heavy hitting actors: Anthony Hopkins, well made up to uncannily resemble Hitchcock, Helen Mirren, who will undoubtedly be nominated for an Oscar for her performance, as well as Scarlett Johansson, Toni Collette, Jessica Biel, aka Mrs. Justin Timberlake, and Michael Stuhlbarg who played Arnold Rothstein on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.

          A behind the scenes look at the somewhat bizarre interaction between Alfred and Alma was fascinating; on the one hand a very mismatched ‘couple,’ but, on the other, two people made to tolerate and even admire each other. This film shows a touching almost dependent side of a marriage made up of two very creative and genius people. I am in awe they made it work as well as they did.

          This 1959 period piece is well staged with an impeccable attention to set and costume details – to me always worth the price of admission alone. I think a little of Hitchcock goes a long way, however, thus, on the heels of the HBO production, I can wait a long while before seeing more detailed information on the man.

          While I can recommend this movie, if you miss it in the theaters, watching it in a few months at home or on some other streaming device will suffice.
                                                                                           
                                                                                                                 Three out of possible five ticket stubs