Hyde Park on Hudson

R

Released Dec 7, 2012

1 hr. 34 min.

History

Drama

List

37%

177 Reviews

Tomatometer

31%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In June 1939, the reigning British king (Samuel West) and queen (Olivia Colman) visit President (Bill Murray) and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt (Olivia Williams) at their New York home. War with Germany looms on the horizon, and England desperately needs the president's support. An unforgettable weekend unfolds as FDR tries to juggle international affairs with the complexities of his domestic arrangement, as seen through the eyes of the president's intimate confidant (Laura Linney).

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Critics Consensus

Though bolstered by a thoroughly charming performance by Bill Murray in the central role, Hyde Park on Hudson is an FDR biopic that lets down both its audience and its subject.

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isla s

I found this film to be a bit slow and rambling and while the characters were interesting, there wasn't enough obvious plot direction or development to keep me really glued. I'm a big fan of Bill Murray and I thought his performance as FDR wasn't bad - he comes across as a bit of an eccentric but a relatively laidback one. I also enjoyed seeing Olivia Colman playing Queen Elizabeth - there is a somewhat amusing aspect of it whereby the British royals don't know quite what to make of the different, American culture they find themselves faced with. There is definitely an element of pompousness present as well, I felt. I believe the film is based on a true story, if but loosely - I'd be more interested to read about the real story, than see a semi fake reconstruction. Overall the film was a bit too bland for my personal taste - not utterly unwatchable but a little plodding, twee even, if anything. However, if you enjoy period/costume dramas and like Olivia Colman and/or Bill Murray then you may enjoy this, its a fairly average watch but thats about it, in my opinion. I did wonder if some of the dialogue was meant in a tongue in cheek way but I suppose we'll never know. I also felt that the music (classical/orchestral pieces)was a bit distractingly loud at times as well, as if the filmmakers were desperately trying to make the viewers feel utterly taken in and absorbed by the film and I found that off-putting personally.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

William L

Based on flawed historical fiction and a romance that feels uncompelling (and far less interesting than the FDR/George VI narrative), Hyde Park on Hudson certainly warrants some of the universal critical backlash. However, several engaging scenes and Murray's own performance (in which he actually acts rather than simply telling jokes in a droll voice) redeem the film in part. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Intriiguing; expertly written

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Hmm.. I mean good... But really? It's still pretty good. It has a different look later on in the film during nighttime woods scenes, adding drama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It can be difficult to translate the experience of watching a play to traditional film. The strength of the story is tested when it changes mediums. In the case of "Hyde Park on Hudson," it may have been a benefit that I knew it had been a play first, even though I had not seen the play. I watched it as a play, so it wasn't as poorly received by me as it appears to have been by others. Maybe it is my generation, but seeing Bill Murray continue to take on roles like this does my heart good. While I can't say he did an admirable job of portraying a president I've never seen in social situations, he definitely holds his own in the company of veteran Laura Linney. The history of the story of "Daisy" and her special relationship with FDR has been challenged, so knowing how valid the story is becomes important if the reason for watching is to understand history. However, the historical components that include the King and Queen of England are known and add to perceived authenticity of the overall story. Also, given Daisy's length of service with the FDR library and museum years after FDR's death, one can make an assumption that a good portion is probably true. However, the blunt nature in which their relationship begins makes the viewer have to adjust rather suddenly in ascertaining exactly what the point of the movie is, which I'm sure is the reason for many viewers being turned off by the film. Once past that early scene, though, I was able to appreciate the story for what it was. Yes, it could have gone a more traditional route and helped establish more depth around just who Daisy was, but again, this was a play. Characters just don't often get constructed that way. There is little time to do them justice and to have done that for the film may have been perceived as tarnishing the source material. While it isn't a bad film, one has to question why it was deemed worthy of translating to film. It didn't accomplish enough or have the historical strength required to be a story worthy of the big screen.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Historical drama or comedy doesn't suit this film. It's best viewed as a historical vignette. The aesthetic and acting is good, but the pace is slow and socially anachronistic at times. The nature of FDR and Eleanor's relationship(s) contrasted a little harshly with the story of the Hyde Park picnic, but Murray and Linney played their parts well. Olivia Coleman was also good in her supporting role.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Roger Michell

Director

Bill Murray

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Laura Linney

Daisy

Samuel West

Bertie

Olivia Colman

Elizabeth

Olivia Williams

Eleanor Roosevelt

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Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - Let Me Confess Something to You

2:49

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - Are They Trying to Make Fun of Us?

2:18

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - I Don't Accept You

2:41

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - Am I Like a Whore?

2:37

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - Don't Ever Compare Me To My Brother

1:41

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - Very Good Friends

2:44

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - I Want to Meet an American

1:46

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - A Special Relationship

2:19

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - What a Rare Treat

2:57

Hyde Park on Hudson: Official Clip - It's Going to Be a Big Success

1:33

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RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Hyde Park on Hudson

Critics Consensus: Playing for Keeps Misses the Mark

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

The entire film is quite funny, in fact, nothing like the sort of stuffy period piece it's dressed up as.

Jun 21, 2016

Full Review

Noah Gittell

The Atlantic

[It] may have the look of a prestige picture, but it plays more like a version of FDR's life as told by TMZ, focusing on naughty details and ignoring the historical implications of the events depicted.

Apr 16, 2014

Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

It's not the strongest premise for a movie, though Hyde Park on Hudson somehow contrives to make it seem rather less than the sum of its parts.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 17, 2013

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Murray is quite terrific here, though his actual physical resemblance to FDR is modest at best.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Hyde Park on Hudson is a piece of badly-constructed fluff. The film is neither very comic nor does it have much value as an account of historical events.

Aug 13, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

May not be the fault of a visibly restrained Murray in the lead role, as the script gives him nothing to work with.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 27, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

In June 1939, the reigning British king (Samuel West) and queen (Olivia Colman) visit President (Bill Murray) and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt (Olivia Williams) at their New York home. War with Germany looms on the horizon, and England desperately needs the president's support. An unforgettable weekend unfolds as FDR tries to juggle international affairs with the complexities of his domestic arrangement, as seen through the eyes of the president's intimate confidant (Laura Linney).

Director: Roger Michell
Executive Producer: Tessa Ross
Screenwriter: Richard Nelson
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Free Range Films, Daybreak Pictures Ltd. [us]
Rating: R (Brief Sexuality)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 7, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.4M
Sound Mix: Dolby, DTS

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