Hyde Park on HudsonMovie Reviews

  • So-so Based on 2,999 reviews
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    Written January 2, 2013

    Slow-Paced but Memorable & Worth a Look

    by ArtHistory2004

    I enjoyed this film for what it was. We get a sneak peek at a great President and his surroundings during one of the most tumultuous moments in American History. Just as most encounters with the President are short and memorable, this film is also.

    In just over an hour and a half, a handful of actors successfully capture the complicated spirit of FDR, Daisy Suckley, Eleanor Roosevelt, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). The set design and cinematography are spellbinding and, while I originally thought the writing needed improvement because of the slow pacing, upon reflection it seems accurate for the less hurried 1930's.

    I doubt that Bill Murray wins Best Actor for what the Golden Globes consider a Comedy (Bradley Cooper and Hugh Jackman seem more likely to win the category) but, nonetheless, this film was worth the time and price of admission.

    • 12 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 11, 2012

    A Welll Acted and Directed Slice of History

    by jzactor

    The story being told in Hyde Park on the Hudson is very simple. President Franklin D Roosevelt invited the King and Queen of England to the president's personal resort to rest and relax and meet regarding the looming war in Europe. The story does deal with the matter at hand and with much more, which makes this film unique and very worthwhile.
    The acting is very good, the direction is pitch perfect and the story is simple. It all about the gathering which involves the personal struggles of each person, including President Roosevelt and his wife, the King and Queen of England and President Roosevelt's paramour, played very well by Laura Linney. The story is fascinating as the world prepares to see the King and Queen actually eat hot dogs while the president juggles his relationship with his wife and his mistress. The direction never gets too ponderous. The deepest moments of drama are juxtaposed with the lighter moments as all munch on hot dogs while the world reacts.

    • 15 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 25, 2012

    hyde park on hudson

    by carolnemo

    I found this film enjoyable for the most part, and the acting exceptional, especially by Bill Murray and Laura Linney.
    I was disappointed that at Hyde Park, one of the most beautiful spots in the state of new york, there was not a single scene of the mighty Hudson River and the lush green hills on both sides of the river, and too much emphasis on the vast fields on the property. perhaps it was not even filmed at Hyde Park.
    also disappointing to me was the emphasis on only 2 aspects of FDR's nearly 3 terms in office: the sexual needs and narcissistic aspect of FDR's personality, and the king and queens' visit. Surely, there were many more interesting anecdotes that could have been highlighted. The movie was only 1 hr, 34 min., and another 20 minutes could have shown other sides of FDR and his presidency.
    i would not recommend this movie for children under 15..

    • 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 16, 2012

    Hugely Disappointing

    by UpperWestSider1

    Thumbs up on the locations, sets and costumes, but thumbs down on everything else. The lead characters -- FDR, Eleanor, the King & Queen, and, yes, Daisy -- are presented as such dim wits. Come on folks, they were the leaders of their countries!

    • 10 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 13, 2013

    Poor attempt

    by 197ravenhill

    The setting was great. The atmosphere of the 30's was well created BUT the characters were disappointing. My father was an English gentleman and I spent my first 2 decades in British Isles so I know that king George 6th was a slight, very thin man with hollow checks and not at all like the actor portraying him. Also Queen Elizabeth, while she may have been sharp and critical in private, always presented a soft cuddly demeanor and was nothing at all like the ugly, unpleasant character depicted in the film. Further, Bill Murray's portrayal of FDR was a very sad attempt compared to Ralph Bellamy's great one in Winds of War. I would not see this movie again, nor would I recommend it to anyone.

    • 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 6, 2013

    In a word... gross!

    by newyorkminute

    Wish I never even heard of this movie. I went to see Bill Murray. I can't even say what I thought of the acting because the script and the whole story was so offensive. Several people left the theatre during the movie. I haven't seen that happen in a long time.

    • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 7, 2013

    Justme

    by dumble

    Engaging film. Enjoyed the entire film. Bill Murray is excellent in the role of FDR. This seems to be the year of the President...elections in November followed by two short looks into the lives of FDR and Lincoln.
    This President was not perfect and this shows an imperfect side to FDR. It also shows compassion to the King of England, as a young inexperienced ruler, who comes to the Power asking for support. This is a very touching moment in the film.
    A go see or rent for home. This film should win awards.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 5, 2013

    Hyde Park on the Hudson

    by Smitty615

    I was disappointed. The characters for the most part were almost caricatures of the people they were portraying, and if the viewer knows ANYTHING about the Roosevelts and King George and Queen Elizabeth, it would be hard to believe this story the way it is presented. I cannot recommend tis film.

    • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 21, 2012

    Dull

    by jomeyertons

    First, the movie is rather dull. Second, it involves a rather excruciating humiliation by an important president to women who had little or no power in their dull lives. I could have lived without seeing that. Bill Murray is a good actor but I just don't like this character. I'd say this one should go on the large heap of films better forgotten.

    One bright note: FDR's car had a really cool cigarette dispenser/lighter.

    • 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 16, 2012

    Boring and Creepy

    by johnuws

    Most of the time it's the voiceover that drones on and on about the most obvious things that you're already watching. The worst bit was watching FDR getting a hand job from his cousin. Totally gross and awkward.

    Poorly written and directed.

    • 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 10, 2012

    Hyde Park on Hudson

    by constancecowing

    Bridge players know a peek is as good as a finesse and this small glimpse into the life of FDR provides the viewer with more information about American history, even that of England, than many a history book and by far exceeds films trying to encompass a life time. The film acts like a core sample of the Earth's surface, digging deeply beneath the soil of these famous people and breaks through at their very source. Without excessive drama, the film quietly invites the viewer to catch a brief glance of what's real behind the facades of the great, famous man so pivotal in the world when humanity showed up at its worst and a few showed up to lead them to their finest hour.

    As for Bill Murray, was he born to play the part? Even knowing the man personally did not prevent experiencing him as FDR on the screen. He so erased his outer personality as all good actors do and Laura Linney did as well, there was nothing left of this very funny man to mar the perfection of his creation.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 9, 2013

    Hyde Park Hid Picture Sharpness

    by rayfridley3

    For the serious student of American history, Hyde Park would be of interest.

    For most movie goers, the image sharpness has much to be desired. Watching this flick is not any clearer than watching a home movie that was filmed with fog on the camera lense, even on the outdoor scens.

    The clarity of the inside scenes are mediocre at best .

    The acting was not much better than the picture quality. Nothing special.
    Not recommended for anyone suffering from depression; they would be in a deeper depression. I feel no joy in this movie.
    This would be not suitable for younger children as it for them would be too boring; kids would become fidgety and begin screaming in the theatre seats.
    Leave the kids home and stay home with them.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 31, 2012

    Bill Murray continues to impress me

    by lstevens3466

    I was in college when Bill Murray and the originals of SNL were comedy icons that drove what we all did on Saturday night - we needed to be near a TV set when 11:30 pm hit. Murray has shown how talented he really is with all the roles he has played since then. Playing FDR, he gives you all the idiosyncrasies and mannerisms of a man that was both great and flawed, in such a way that you understand why people admired and followed him. The cast is equally able to lead you through what was a turning point in world history and make you feel like you are there, witnessing the first times that leaders tried to fortify alliances and maneuver the course of the future. The photography is as beautiful as upstate NY actually is... Loved Laura Linney - she so perfect as Daisy!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 30, 2012

    Fascinating look behind the curtain

    by JimJabu

    Here's an example of when more is less. There is a terrific engaging story about the visit of the King and Queen of England to the U.S. in 1939, but it is mixed in with a story about a pedestrian affair between Roosevelt and his 5th cousin. The screen comes alive when we follow the King and Queen, but the love affair angle is deadly dull.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written April 22, 2013

    A Charming Slice of History

    by

    A quiet little film that was sadly ignored (in spite of a campaign to get Murray an Oscar nod), as I felt Bill Murray gave a wonderful performance here as FDR, and Laura Linney as well as his distant cousin Daisy, with whom he had an affair, it seems. I very much enjoyed the interplay of all these different characters (FDR, Daisy, Eleanor, FDR's mother, and the king & queen of England) - the dynamics were fascinating. I understood the story was based on diaries found after the cousin passed away, so this is truly an insider view. I tend to feel that quiet, charming films like this one tend to be overlooked, which is a shame. I do recommend this film if you love history and appreciate a good performance.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Hyde Park on Hudson Movie Reviews + Ratings

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ShaunHume Just got around to watching 'Hyde Park on Hudson' with Bill Murray. It was delightful. The critics (as per usual) can go jump.

13 hours ago.

fearless_autumn I do not recommend the movie Hyde Park on Hudson. It had its good bits and the acting was quite good, but it was overall a waste of my time.

1 days ago.

BChappelow Watched Hyde Park on Hudson last night. It was an interesting look at #FDR, and I'm always a fan of Laura Linney.

1 days ago.

GayPatriot Watched "Hyde Park on Hudson" with Mom today. I really could have done without the mistress-giving-FDR-handjob scene. #brainbleach

2 days ago.

BigRedChimp watched #HydeParkOnHudson the message seemed to be ladies should be grateful if great men let them tug them off. didn't like it by the end.

3 days ago.

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Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interview Bill Murray talks about playing FDR, Laura Linney on her fascination with the iconic president and Murray's thoughts on SNL and Ghostbusters.