Cast
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Maggie Smith
as Constance Trentham
Michael Gambon
as William McCordle
Kristin Scott Thomas
as Sylvia McCordle
Camilla Rutherford
as Isobel McCordle
Charles Dance
as Raymond Stockbridge
Geraldine Somerville
as Louisa Stockbridge
Tom Hollander
as Anthony Meredith
Natasha Wightman
as Lavinia Meredith
Jeremy Northam
as Ivor Novello
Bob Balaban
as Morris Weissman
James Wilby
as Freddie Nesbitt
Claudie Blakley
as Mabel Nesbitt
Laurence Fox
as Rupert Standish
Trent Ford
as Jeremy Blond
Ryan Phillippe
as Henry Denton
Crew
Director
- Robert Altman
Writer
- Julian Fellowes
Producer
- David Levy
- Bob Balaban
- Robert Altman
Reviews
sykobanana
6/10 Good acting and a solid plot for a murder mystery, but has at least 20-30 minutes of scenes that could have been trimmed, esp as it takes 90min for the murder to occur. I had figured out the key points and was falling asleep at the end...I'm still tired now, writing this.
May 16, 2020
CinemaSerf
I remember watching this and thinking it reminded me of a very exclusive game of Cleudo! The great and the (not so) good assemble at the stately home of "Sir William McCordle" (Sir Michael Gambon). Now what becomes clear as this gathering gets steadily more sloshed and satiated is that their host has been subsidising many of these high-class scroungers for quite a while and some have become a bit more dependent than others. What might they do to secure a share of his loot? Might they even slay the fatted calf himself? Well that's the mystery part that Julian Fellowes and an on-form Robert Altman deliver in this quite quirkily crafted upstairs/downstairs whodunit that swipes at just about everyone from all levels of the social scale using cruelty, lust and loads of dark, often sarcastic, humour in the process. Ryan Philippe is the obvious fish out of water amongst their glittering array of Knights and Dames, but he brings a freshness to his rather odious character ("Denton") and in many ways provides a good foil to the otherwise rather well trammelled plot portrayal of the landed vacuous and the well meaning; the pompous and the selfish. It is well written and well paced after a bit of a slow start that serves to introduce just one too many a character all at once. Kristin Scott Thomas is a natural for these sort of parts; Stephen Fry delivers effectively as the policeman "Thompson" and, of course, Dame Maggie Smith is another who takes to these roles like the proverbial duck to water. Now it is a bit long, but when juggling so many characters, potential red herrings, character assassinations and general mischief then I think this is probably about the shortest it could be. It sustains the momentum once it's got up an head of steam, looks splendid and is comfortably amongst the best of the period drama genre - without, thankfully, a sign of Jane Austen!
Aug 7, 2023
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Gosford Park examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Robert Altman brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2001, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Gosford Park took approximately 9 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $19.8 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 137 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 173 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1056 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2001, when this film is released:
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Gosford Park shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Amores Perros, which focuses more on action than character development, Gosford Park subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Memento and Léon: The Professional explore similar territory, Gosford Park stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 26, 2001
- Runtime: 2h 17m
- Budget: $19,800,000
- Revenue: $87,754,044
