It's a perfectly ordinary and boring party with a spot of hunting at the country manor of the McCordles somewhere in England. 1932, where nothing exciting is supposed to happen but the rich mingle with aristocracy, all trying to remain within one another's favour while vilely gossiping about everyone else. But as pedestrian as the action is upstairs, as hectic things are downstairs with the valets, butlers and maids, as they not only work their asses of for their respective employers, but their world it reigned just as much by jealousy and intrigue as that of those who employ them. And then William McCordle (Michael Gambon), master of the house, is killed - and while this is quite a scandal of course, nobody gives too much of a shit about the good man, as despite his facade as a benign humanitarian, his "friends" have known him as a ruthless businessman not even advert to destroying those close to him, and both his wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) and daughter (Camilla Rutherford) try hard but ultimately fail to show any real concern. Of course, the Yard investigates, but Inspector Thompson (Stephen Fry) is as much treated as a joke by the "upper class" as he himself looks down on the servants of the household and really comes away with nothing, while among the servantry the truth begins to simmer through, and it might be that the world of the masters and the world of servants isn't nearly as separated as everybody would like to think ...

Now truth to be told, in absolute terms, Gosford Park isn't acclaimed director Robert Altman's "best" movie, it might lack a bit in freshness of content - but that's actually also one of the charms of this here film, because while it might not be Altman's best, it shows the director in top form, and it's fascinating to see him apply his very personal style to a very "British" murder mystery, complete with social commentary and even some funny bits here and there. And a wonderful location which the swift camerawork makes the most out of, a light-footed directorial approach, and of course a top notch cast, composed of many of Britain's finest, make this a joy to watch!

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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