GOSFORD PARK

I think you'll be able to stick around for this one and enjoy the brandy-tipping, he-said/she-said and who-done-it antics.

Tagline: Tea at four. Dinner at eight. Murder at midnight.

Its not often that you get to see a film with such a long list of good actors all lumped together. Whoever did the casting for this film must've been on one of the greatest winning streaks of their career. Its a veritable who's who of the British acting community with a couple of Yanks thrown in for good measure. There's eye-candy for everyone in this one, I tell ya! Yes, I'll have that one and that one and that one...

Gosford Park is set in 1930s England where a group of rich Brits gather at Sir William McCordle's manor for a weekend of shooting and general snobbery. The twist to the weekend is that, not only will there be civilized character assassinations, but there will be an actual murder. Who did it, you ask? Well that could be one of the, lets say, 30+ people in the house. There are so many characters in this film that it's difficult to keep track of who belongs to whom. By this I mean, to add to the character-overload upstairs, each individual guest/couple has brought their personal servant/valet to attend to their every need (this is where the casting call came in). The funny part about the murder is that it shows up late in the film, and it is almost an aside to everything else going on.

Robert Altman has a history of using large ensemble casts that either blow you away (M*A*S*H) or cause you to look for the EXIT sign shortly after the movie begins (Dr. T and the Women and Prêt-à-Porter). Luckily in Gosford Park, the cast does a good job and most have their moments to shine. A standout is Maggie Smith as Constance, Countess of Trentham, one of the more brutal characters in the film. She shows no reservations in saying exactly what is on her mind, and does so at every opportunity. She has many great moments, and deserves all the great accolades and award nominations she's getting for this role.

I think you'll be able to stick around for this one and enjoy the brandy-tipping, he-said/she-said and who-done-it antics. Who could ask for more with a cast this big? See it! You'll have a good time.

DVD NOTES

The Gosford Park DVD is equipped with your typical bells and whistles, like a commentary by director Robert Altman and screenwriter Julian Fellowes, deleted scenes, a short "making of" documentary, and a cast Q & A session just post-Oscar nominations. But the extra that I thought was particularly nifty though was a short documentary on the authenticity of the film. It describes how there was on-hand during the film's production a real cook, maid, and head butler (named Mr. Inch!) that were in service in England during the 1930s when the movie takes place. These fine folks served as consultants both on and off the set, and their takes on the movie business, as well as their reflections on their own lines of work, is absolutely fascinating. Shoot, I'd watch a full-length film on these real people from "downstairs." Just think of the stories they'd have to tell!