BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
Bill Murray really can’t do any wrong. In Hyde Park On Hudson he proves that concept again. Bill Murray plays Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. It’s a few days in his long and illustrious life, but an interesting few days for sure. It’s when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth came to America to hang out with and meet with the President and Eleanor Roosevelt(Oliva Williams) at this private estate in New York. King George VI is played by Samuel West and Elizabeth by the always awesome Olivia Colman(“Peep Show” fame!). The King is in America for the first time to basically ask for help on the whole WWII situation. It’s an important point in history, but it’s not shoved at us with some overly dramatic cinematic nonsense. It’s a casual affair with tons of heart and realism. Along with these huge political situations, the movie is just as much about the people who were involved. The relationship between George and Elizabeth is really interesting and done well. The perspective the movie takes is of FDR’s somewhat distant cousin, Margaret Suckley. Played gracefully by Laura Linney, we discover the odd relationship she had with FDR. Apparently FDR was a ladies man, despite being wheelchair-bound. This movie is all about how everyone related. The relationship between the King and Queen, the relationship between America and England, the relationship between FDR and the first lady, the relationship between FDR and his cousin, and the relationship between FDR and the world; it was all relation. That’s not a bad thing. The rambled description I just provided sounds like a big rom-com mess but I assure you it’s not. While a lot goes on, the movie doesn’t feel rushed. You get to absorb the lives of the people you’re watching and gain your own perspective of a part of Americana that is often not as romanticized as others. Like I said, Bill Murray really can’t do any wrong. I’m a huge fan of his and enjoy him in everything. Sometimes you take for granted how amazing of an actor he is because you’re blinded by the unconditional fandom. The dude can act. In this movie he still brings the charm, but he loses himself in the character. If you’re an adult who can handle a little historical heart then you’ll want to see this. It’s not quite a “rom-com” and not quite a deep and impactful drama. It’s a solid movie with a few great performances. See it! B+
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