Gosford Park
Winter 2002 Main series
Sunday, March 24, 2002 at 7:00pm
Empire Theatres, New Minas, NS
Directed by Robert Altman
Starring
Rated 14A ·
2h 17m
United Kingdom
English
American master Robert Altman has gathered an all-star British cast and applied his unique filmmaking talents to a 30s murder mystery. As a shooting party, hosted by Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his wife, Lady Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas), gathers at the Gosford Park country estate, no one is aware that before the weekend is over, someone will be murdered — twice. The police are baffled, but the below-stairs staff knows that almost everyone has a motive. The guests/suspects include Lady Sylvia’s sisters, Louisa and Lavinia (Geraldine Somerville and Natasha Wightman), and their husbands, Raymond and Lt. Cmdr. Meredith (Charles Dance and Tom Hollander); Sir William’s sister Constance (Maggie Smith); matinee idol and songwriter Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam); and a Hollywood producer of Charlie Chan mysteries (Bob Balaban). The dignified butler, Jennings (Alan Bates), oversees Gosford Park’s all-knowing staff with the practical housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren), maid-chasing footman George (Richard E. Grant), Sir William’s dedicated valet (Derek Jacobi), and head housemaid Elsie (Emily Watson), having a none-too-discreet affair with Sir William. Gosford Park, is a “whodunnit?” as only Altman could do it. Gosford Park has received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
“Gosford Park is Altman’s best film since “The Player” and one of the best in his long career.” – Hollywood Reporter
“At a time when too many movies focus every scene on a $20 million star, an Altman film is like a party with no boring guests.” – Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times