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 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 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 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

    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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    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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  • 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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  • 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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    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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    Written January 22, 2013

    Hyde Park on Hudson

    by carbon60

    This is a lovely film, with fine performances all around. Some people will not like it since it portrays FDR as a flawed but sympathetic man. He was a lonely man who needed companionship from women that was not provided by his alienated wife Eleanor. This is a small snapshot of him at a crucial time, before war broke out in Europe. The portraits of the young King and Queen of England are charming. This is really aimed at an older generation of viewers. Most young people, especially those craving action and excitement, will find it boring. We enjoyed it very much.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 13, 2013

    BORING !!

    by JazzerMom

    Although I am younger (by at least 30 years) than the majority of people who were in the theater , and probably have some personal memory of FDR, I was interested in seeing this movie having seen Lincoln and was so amazed by how much history I didn't know. The movie was slow and dragged from the onset. I felt the there was no discernible plot; was it the visit from the Royals, infidelity, FDR's physical disability and its effect on his presidency?
    I was impressed by Bill Murray's ability to play a character other than comedic, however this movie is not one I'd recommend to others.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written December 24, 2012

    Nice little movie, Missed Opportunity

    by

    There were two very compelling stories elbowing each other for screen time,
    I would love to have seen either better told - the visit of the King and Queen of England on the eve of WWII and the romantic side of a great man... unfortunately both stories were not very well developed. The film was well cast and acted, especially by Bill Murray, but the script didn't give him much to work with. It would have made a fair episode of Masterpiece Theater on PBS. I would recommend it as a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours but, on the whole, was a little disappointed in missing the film it could have been or the film I hoped to see.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 24, 2013

    Pass on this one

    by who_cares_i_don't

    Maybe my viewing was colored by having just visited FDR's house in Hyde Park the weekend before, but this is a really muddled film. It's not bad, just confused. It doesn't seem to know what it is. Maybe Richard Nelson should have written it as a play (seems like maybe he originally did) but it's fine in some places, laughable in others, and dull in many. Bill Murray and Laura Linney, as always, are great, but what they have to work with is so thin and surface-level, it's kind of hard to watch sometimes.

    Skip the movie - visit the real Hyde Park instead. Now THAT is honestly fantastic.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 21, 2012

    Hyde Park on Hudson

    by analyst

    While I am an FDR fan, the events in the film were largely new to me and, therefore, especially interesting.I thought the major characters: FDR, Eleanor, Mother, King George V! were very much as I remembered or imagined them (e.g.FDR's mother. I thought Bill Murray did a sensational job, as did virtually all of the others.
    Also, the outside scenery was spectacular (even though apparently it was filmed in England, not Duchess County, NY). While I have been to FDR's home in Hyde Park, I don't think it was used in the film. Nevertheless, it seemed very similar.
    All in all, anyone who is interested in first half of the 20th century American history should be delighted with this film.

    • 10 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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Hyde Park on Hudson Movie Reviews + Ratings

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nistleroy86 "Hyde Park on Hudson" was not the movie I thought it would be. Murray was great, everything else...ehhh #mylist

18 hours ago.

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

1 days 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.

2 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.

2 days ago.

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

3 days ago.

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Exclusive Features

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.