Hyde Park on Hudson

Hyde Park on Hudson - Dir. Roger Michell (2012)

Hyde Park on Hudson had all the makings of a prestige picture. It’s based on a true story, features an A-list cast, and helmed by a prominent British director in Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Morning Glory). Yet, the film was quietly forgotten during awards season, except for a Golden Globe nomination for Bill Murray’s performance as Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR is ranked high in the presidential pantheon, right alongside George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He served four consecutive terms as president and shepherded the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Hyde Park is an attempt to humanize FDR and explore the man behind the myth.

The title comes from Roosevelt’s childhood home in upstate New York that hosted a historic visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the first time a presiding king had come to the United States. Screenwriter Roger Nelson was inspired to explore this intimate summit through the eyes of Roosevelt’s fifth cousin, Margaret “Daisy” Suckey, after correspondence was discovered between the two that hinted at a possible relationship. Nelson originally wrote it as a radio play before adapting it for the big screen.

Laura Linney plays Daisy, a spinster living with her elderly mother, who is called to Hyde Park to ease the President’s mind from stately affairs. There’s an instant attraction between FDR and Daisy though the latter isn’t sure what to make of things considering the presence of the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt (Olivia Williams) and secretary Marguerite “Missy” LeHand (Elizabeth Marvel), who is also having a clandestine affair with the President. Amidst all the romantic entanglements come the King (Samuel West) and Queen (Olivia Colman) of England who are hoping to beseech the Americans to join in the war effort against Nazi Germany.

Hyde Park isn’t an accurate portrayal of historical events, but a speculative dramatization. Though there’s no strong evidence to suggest FDR had affairs with Daisy or Missy, it’s been suspected for decades along with a previous affair with New York Post publisher Dorothy Schiff. FDR may be portrayed as a womanizer, but he doesn’t come off as a callous cad due to the likeability of lead actor Bill Murray. Murray doesn’t disappear into the role the way Daniel Day-Lewis did in Lincoln so much as he imbues FDR with the trademark Bill Murray wit and playfulness. Unfortunately, the filmmakers choose to focus on Daisy and Hyde Park grinds to a halt whenever she takes the spotlight. This is no knock on Laura Linney, a tremendously talented actress, but the script does its job too well in painting Daisy as a mousy wallflower to the point she becomes an utter cipher  By sticking with Daisy, the movie loses out on Eleanor Roosevelt’s feelings about her husband’s extramarital activities. It’s hinted that their marriage is nothing more than a political convenience, but Eleanor fades into the background for the most part. That’s a shame because Olivia Williams gives a forceful performance in the scant amount of scenes she is given.

Hyde Park picks up steam when the royals enter the picture. Their story could be seen as something of a sequel or companion piece to The King’s Speech. For argument's sake, let's ignore Madonna's ill-conceived W.E. King George VI, who suffers from a terrible stammer, has awkwardly taken the crown following his older brother’s abdication. The Queen isn’t particularly fond of Americans and it’s clear that they don’t fit in. Her Royal Highness is apoplectic when the President insists on serving them cocktails and hot dogs. However, that hot dog turns out to be a clever gambit on FDR’s part to turn the King into a relatable Joe instead of a stuffed shirt. A father-son relationship emerges between the King and Roosevelt during a tender moment of bonding over their respective ailments. His Majesty bemoans his crippling speech impediment while Roosevelt points to his battle with polio.

In spite of a quick 90 minute runtime, Hyde Park on Hudson was one of the most laboriously tedious movies I've experienced in a while. There are sporadic splashes of brilliance that are overshadowed by a dull protagonist and a myriad of subplots stumbling over one another.

Rating: * ½ (*****)

Morning Glory

Morning Glory - Dir. Roger Michell (2010)

In the vein of Broadcast News comes Morning Glory, a slick and breezy comedy from director Roger Michell (Notting Hill), producer JJ Abrams (Lost, Star Trek), and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, who previously turned her attention to the world of fashion with The Devil Wears Prada.

Rachel McAdams plays the plucky heroine in Becky Fuller, a news producer for the morning talk show, Good Morning, New Jersey. We're introduced to her during a dinner date in the middle of the afternoon (her work day starts at 1:30AM) and she spends most of her time trying not to answer her Blackberry. She's not the typical Type-A personality of rom-com trappings, but she's a workaholic. Despite her best efforts, Becky is laid off due to budget cuts. Her mom lectures her about finally getting a real job, despite the fact that Becky has only been unemployed for like 2 hours.

After a dizzying montage of phone calls, Becky moves to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple when she becomes the executive producer for Daybreak, which airs on the struggling IBS Network. I'm sure somebody knew what they were doing when they matched the initials to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Anyways, Daybreak is dead last in the ratings and it's up to the perennially perky Becky to turn things around. Her first order of business is firing the show's overly tanned co-anchor (a criminally underused Ty Burrell) due to his creepy foot fetish.

Becky finds a replacement in veteran newsman, Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), who is currently content to sit at home and collect fat paychecks until his contract expires. Becky forces him onto Daybreak due to a loophole in legal mumbo jumbo. Pomeroy used to be IBS's Dan Rather, covering wars and interviewing heads of state, and he isn't about to do stories on baby chicks. He also refuses to say the word, "fluffy." Becky is run ragged as she deals with Pomeroy's uncontrollable ego, plummeting ratings, and a budding romance with another IBS producer (Patrick Wilson).

Diane Keaton co-stars as Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), a former Miss Arizona whose own ego struggles for dominance over Pomeroy's. Morning Glory also features Jeff Goldblum as Becky's boss and cameos from 50 Cent and reporters Morley Safer and Bob Schieffer.

Much like the morning programs it pokes fun at; the movie is light with a tart, saccharine flavor. It's brightly colored and slickly shot picture that never digs deeper beyond the superficial. The romantic subplot is trite with the usual second act complication shoehorned in so the couple can split then make up during the final act.

Rachel McAdams is effervescent as Becky Fuller. She's one of the film's bright spots and is engaging enough to keep you somewhat interested in the stale narrative. Becky is a dash of Mary Tyler Moore and there are parallels to Marlo Thomas with McAdams running through New York City in slow motion as flocks of pigeons fly about her. But, McAdams is never given the material to grow beyond being a sitcom creation. It's also odd that Becky would cite Pomeroy as an inspiration, yet become so preoccupied with ratings and inconsequential puff pieces. I will give kudos to Roger Michell for throwing in a very nice butt shot of McAdams.

Harrison Ford is funny in a one-note performance as the crotchety curmudgeon, but, for a famed journalist, he barely registers above laconic when he's delivering serious news. Diane Keaton doesn't get much to do other than play Ford's foil and try to dance with 50 Cent. Ty Burrell is utterly wasted. He's only in about three scenes, but he's easily the best thing in the movie.

If you're looking for lightweight entertainment, you could do worse than Morning Glory. However, as a film set in the world of network news, it's hardly Network or even Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy.

Rating: **