DAN MCLELLAN

'GOSFORD PARK' SHINES

In the grand tradition of Agatha Christie, the director presents a classic mystery where everyone is suspect.

DAN MCLELLAN

Originally published Friday, March 1, 2002

Robert Altman's new comedy "Gosford Park" is entertaining as a comedy, but it shines as social commentary/character study.

An Altman virgin, all I knew about the movie is that it would have a huge cast, be lengthy and have a 50-50 chance of being horrible. This information was accumulated from many reviews of Altman's work I read prior to the viewing. Apparently, he enjoys long movies with dozens of people who are either smart and witty, or pretentious and dull. I am glad to report that "Park" falls into the former category.

Actually I did see one other Altman film, but I believe Altman would prefer to forget "Popeye" ever happened.

The movie begins on a rainy day in the early years of the 20th century at a glorious estate in Europe where 18 or so socialites and their servants meet for a duck hunting party. As the servants and socialites mingle, separately of course, a murder occurs and the police are called in. As the investigation continues it is clear that no one, including his wife, liked the deceased, and for good reason.

In the grand tradition of Agatha Christie, the director presents a classic mystery where everyone is suspect. But "Gosford Park" is much more than death and comedy.

With an all-star British cast including Michael Gambon, Clive Owen, Kristen Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Northam, Stephen Fry, Alan Bates, Derek Jacobi, Kelly Macdonald and two yanks, Ryan Phillippe and Bob Balaban, Altman has created a fascinating portrait of the class struggles between servants and their masters.

There are even conflicts between the servants themselves, sort of like the long-running British series, "Upstairs, Downstairs." There are two levels of servants, the upstairs servants and the downstairs servants.

Depending on whom your master is, you stay with your designated group.

The greatest thing about "Gosford Park" lies beyond the story, however, and lives in the production. Three examples I particularly noticed come to mind.

The sets, which smartly ignore tradition, are dirty and slightly worn even though the house belongs to an extremely wealthy family, which actually makes sense because of the times.

A more humorous example is Balaban's character, a pompous American movie producer, who refuses to eat meat and participate in the duck hunt. However, he still goes to be polite. But to make sure he is not cold he brings his luxurious fur coat along with him. These little things that catch your eye and ear make "Park" a rewarding film, worth seeing twice.

The last one was that the camera never EVER stops moving. The camera is always drifting around tables or rooms, carelessly leaving one group of people in the middle of a conversation and observing a new couple. This gives a film that is primarily about characters talking life and energy.

"Gosford Park" is an interesting movie and consistently humorous. Never laugh-out-loud funny, but it will keep a smile on your face throughout.

While laughs are nice, "Park" offers so much more if you are willing to listen and pay attention. The discussions about class in the '30s are fascinating to listen to and serve as an entertaining history lesson.

"Gosford Park" comes highly recommended.

Daniel McLellan is a freshman at Olympia High School.

'Gosford Park'

*** 1/2

-Playing: Yelm Cinemas.

-Rating: R.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to Films index