Hyde Park on Hudson is actually a light frothy film but never delivers in its intent and purpose. It's whimsical but lacking in core and even heart.
Laura Linney is Daisy; a distant cousin to FDR who is sent to help with FDR's wandering mind and calm him.
Daisy accompanies on his drives to the country and keeps him company before FDR takes more carnal pleasures from her and she is willing to give it.
Although Daisy narrates the story, she is not the prime focus and it becomes clear that FDR has dallied with other ladies.
The film then changes track and deals with the events of the first Royal visit to the USA of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth whose main purpose was to gather support for the impending war in Europe.
There seems to be apprehension and discomfort from both sides as to how to behave and the welcome they will get. FDR's mother is supportive of the Royal family, his wife seems to be distant and FDR kind of caught in the middle.
There is a culture clash with the King and Queen bemused with the looming picnic and the serving of Hot Dogs which is kind of the metaphor of this film. Why the King never asked anyone what Hot Dogs were or whether they were going to eat literal dogs highlights the films failings.
The performances of Bill Murray as FDR and Laura Linney is good but it sidelined some of the more interesting characters that we would like to see more from such as Eleanor Roosevelt.
A film that does not always make its intentions clear just like FDR and Daisy.
Laura Linney is Daisy; a distant cousin to FDR who is sent to help with FDR's wandering mind and calm him.
Daisy accompanies on his drives to the country and keeps him company before FDR takes more carnal pleasures from her and she is willing to give it.
Although Daisy narrates the story, she is not the prime focus and it becomes clear that FDR has dallied with other ladies.
The film then changes track and deals with the events of the first Royal visit to the USA of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth whose main purpose was to gather support for the impending war in Europe.
There seems to be apprehension and discomfort from both sides as to how to behave and the welcome they will get. FDR's mother is supportive of the Royal family, his wife seems to be distant and FDR kind of caught in the middle.
There is a culture clash with the King and Queen bemused with the looming picnic and the serving of Hot Dogs which is kind of the metaphor of this film. Why the King never asked anyone what Hot Dogs were or whether they were going to eat literal dogs highlights the films failings.
The performances of Bill Murray as FDR and Laura Linney is good but it sidelined some of the more interesting characters that we would like to see more from such as Eleanor Roosevelt.
A film that does not always make its intentions clear just like FDR and Daisy.