HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
UK, 2012, 94 minutes, Colour.
Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Samuel West, Olivia Colman, Olivia Williams.
Directed by Roger Michel.
Three important quotes from the film: ‘People pretend not to see what they do see’, ‘People see what they want to see’, ‘It was a time of secrets’. More of these later.
On the one hand, it is a pity that this film comes in the wake of The King’s Speech. It doesn’t have the wide scope and human story of that film. On the other hand, the advantage of its following The King’s Speech is that many audiences may well want to see it because of their interest in the characters of George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Not that Hyde Park on Hudson is principally about them. Their visit to President Franklin D. Roosevelt before the war is the centerpiece of the drama and is well explored. But the film is principally about Roosevelt and his personality, politics and relationships.
Back to the quotations. Some people have been disedified by the information of the celebrated president’s relationships with a number of women. Older people who had John F. Kennedy on a pedestal were disedified, even dismayed, to learn something of the truth about his personal life. But, in this film, it is Roosevelt himself who notes that people pretend not to see what they do see, for a variety of reasons, moral, religious, ethical, political, personal. All are in play in this film in which, it should be noted, everything is presented in a very genteel, 1930s way and controlled language, in terms of the women in the president’s life and in the references to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. These observations reinforce the next statement, that some people see only what they want to see. We do expect people in public office to be completely moral and respectable, though the younger generations may have become more disillusioned (or realistic) about the flaws in character of those who have been put on pedestals. No more evident has this been in the ongoing revelations about sexual abuse in society in general and in the priesthood in particular.
These reflections may seem to give the film more depth than it might appear to have, or even that the film might claim. However, looking at it in this light, listening to the very well-written and intelligent screenplay and appreciating the excellent performances, the film has a great deal going for it. And, for those who might not be absorbed in the way just described, it is always interesting and entertaining.
Bill Murray might seem a strange choice for Franklin D. Roosevelt. But, because the film is showing his strengths (a great personal charm and humour as well as shrewd diplomacy, as well as some moments which remind us of his concern for Americans during the Depression and the New Deal) as well as his flaws and his weaknesses for women (fostered by the personality and other interests of his wife, Eleanor), Murray is a good choice.
The episodes are related by a distant Roosevelt cousin, Daisy, on whose letters, discovered after her death, the screenplay is based. Laura Linney, who can be both tough and delicate on screen, narrates the story and moves from shy recluse caring for her aunt to a fixture in Hyde Park to a love for the president and shocked by his infidelity to her. Olivia Williams does a fine turn as Eleanor, strong-minded, strong-willed, with an ironic sense of humour – the screenplay lifting blame from her for her husband’s roving eye. Elizabeth Wilson is the perfect embodiment of the controlling matriarch whose house Hyde Park is.
But, audiences will be fascinated by the portrayal of the king and queen and will accept the move from Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter. Samuel West is excellent as Bertie, nervous about the visit and its purpose, irritated by his stutter (he was still working with Lionel Logue at this time), not sure what to make of the Americans, but willing to be agreeable, placating his wife, and finding that he enjoyed Roosevelt’s company, it all climaxing in his eating a hot dog at the official picnic and being photographed. Thanking Roosevelt afterwards, he referred to what has now become a significant phrase for American-British? interactions, the ‘special relationship’.
Olivia Colman brings new insights into the Queen. She is aware of her dignity, not particularly keen on Americans of American ways (she is shocked by the serving of hot dogs), something of a snob. She is also conscious of stepping unexpectedly into the shoes of the Windsors as monarchs. She doesn’t really like the formalities and expectations of her. In fact, the protocols, even in the US, seem rather rigid. She sounds, in the film, like her daughter in real life – which reminds us that Queen Elizabeth has been living this kind of life, giving these public performances for sixty years without complaint.
If audiences do not expect another The King’s Speech, they will find much to enjoy and think about in Hyde Park on Hudson.
1. The title? President Roosevelt? His house? The episode at the house?
2. Audience interest in Roosevelt? In George VI and Queen Elizabeth? In the context of this political visit?
3. The focus on the 1930s, the pre-war atmosphere? The United States vis-a-vis Europe, Hitler and the impending war? The founding of the special relationship?
4. The house, the land, the countryside, the beauty, a retreat? The drives through the countryside, the walks? The special house built by Roosevelt?
5. The importance of the period look, costumes, décor, cars? The songs and the Ink Spots? Both idyllic and real?
6. Roosevelt, his status, Bill Murray’s performance? Presidential, the New Deal, coping with the Depression, the radio broadcast and the household present? A democrat? Relationship with Congress? Attitude towards the coming war? His subsequent activity, December 7th 1941? Entering the war and fighting with Europe?
7. Roosevelt as a person, his age, the experience of polio, the wheelchair and his limitations? The dominance of his mother? Her house? Not wanting him to drink? His concealing it? His humour and charm? The relationship with Eleanor, estranged? His relationships with women, his secretary, Daisy? His personal needs? The film’s explanation? A roving on, fickle, yet a substantial personality?
8. Daisy and her letters, the basis for the film story? Daisy’s perspective on the events? The character, in herself, working for her aunt, lonely, the spinster, the phone call, the invitation to go to Hyde Park, awkwardness, embarrassment, Roosevelt showing her the stamps, the discussion about the stamps and their beauty? Hobbies? Her renewed visits, becoming a fixture? the drives, discussions, her being comfort, the sexual approach with the hand on the knee? Her agreement to the relationship, its effect on her? talk, the plan for the visit, Roosevelt’s mother, the secretary? The security personnel? The president’s apology for not bringing her to the table for the royal visit? His taking her to the house retreat, for his retirement and novel-writing? The night of the dinner, her going to the retreat, sitting, discovering the secretary, the truth, in the car, being upset? With Roosevelt the next day, the talk of apology or not, her forgiving him, her place in the household, a portrait of Daisy?
9. Eleanor, her status and reputation, her manner, the marriage, her discovering his mistress, the estrangement, her writing columns? Her sardonic remarks around the house? The insinuations about her women’s community, making the furniture? The organising the picnic, the presence of the Indians? The president’s interruption of the song? Yet her nonchalant presence?
10. Roosevelt’s mother, her dominance, fuss, propriety, protocols, the staff and maids? Mrs Astor’s plates? Drinks, the reception of the king and queen, the meal, the plates and glasses falling? The picnic? Her influence?
11. The secretary, present, reliable, the sexual relationship, her being satisfied, Daisy’s talk about her illness, the president leaving her the property in his will, his not going to see her in hospital?
12. American policy, the Roosevelt charm, talking with the king, his manner, blunt talk, yet stories which the King enjoyed, making the King relax? The picnic, the hot dogs, the special relationship?
13. George VI, in the shadow of his brother? The Windsors? His nervousness, stutter, wanting the people to like him, the reason for the visits? Protocol and explanations? Driving to Hyde Park? The reaction to the Americans, Elizabeth not liking Americans, the touch of snobbery? The arrival, the welcome, the room, the awkwardness of conversation with Eleanor, the King and Roosevelt, the drinks? The issue of hot dogs? Indian performances? The queen’s and his talk? The King only with Roosevelt? The meal, the falling plates, the Kings joke? The toasts and lack of critical?
14. The aftermath of the dinner, the serious talks, humorous, the King’s explanation about his brother? All week in the enjoying his discussion, relaxed, the late night? Elizabeth waking, the serious discussion, the King not wanting her to compare him to his brother? At the window, seeing Daisy, the discussion of mistresses? The King going for the swim? No journalists?
15. The picnic, elegance, clothes, the table? The people meeting royalty and the impression? The Indian performances? The president and cutting off the singing, the speech, thanks, Eleanor’s reaction? The importance of the hot dogs? The King eating one, the photos? Everyone seeing the incident?
16. Roosevelt, his life, work, war, the death? Daisy and her life, dying at 100?
17. The aftermath, the establishing of the special relationship between the United States and England?
