I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

In 1939, Margaret "Daisy" Suckley, fifth cousin to the current U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, is summoned to visit FDR at his country estate in Hyde Park, NY. He initiates a sexual relationship with her--we're told he thrives on the adoring eyes of young women--which surprisingly does not complicate his state of affairs, the fact he's married, or that his mother is a constant factor in his life. Bill Murray plays Roosevelt with wry humor and an unpretentious lift of the chin; crippled at this point by polio, yet unselfconscious about using crutches or by being carried around by an assistant, this Commander in Chief is a steady, low-keyed man, so lacking in drama he's almost easy to miss in a crowd. Written by Richard Nelson and directed by Roger Michell, "Hyde Park on Hudson", which is ostensibly based upon Suckley's diaries (discovered posthumously), is austere and tasteful and pointless. The Roosevelts' lack of a grand showing when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit is faintly amusing (the Royals are initially perplexed or put-off by the mild reception, but come to love FDR for his unadorned hospitality). Lara Linney as Daisy has to grapple with her feelings for a man whose time (and intimacy) must be shared, and occasionally she's too much of a sad anchor on the narrative; still, Linney's underplaying is in tune with Michell's handling, and she manages to carve out a genuine character without a lot to work with. The film has lovely passages, but is so thin it has to use Daisy's sense of betrayal for narrative tension (which is useless since nothing much is done to satisfy her--or us). Samuel West is wonderful as the stammering King (who livens up an otherwise disastrous formal dinner) and Olivia Williams is a fine Eleanor. **1/2 from ****

Good - All in all, a good story about a minor historical event. Bill Murray did great job in a non-comedic role. The storyline was interesting: one of FDR's mistresses gets drawn into a pre WW II visit by British monarchs. The story is told without the usual attention to the depression, still going on at the time of the story. My view of FDR was undermined by the immorality displayed by FDR. I would have put that in the 'bad' category, but for the fact that the movie caused these emotions, meaning it did a good job. Remember how you felt about Denzel after Training Day? Bad - The films end states that FDR finally kept his promise to help after WWII started. Lend-Lease and precursor programs to help arm the future allies actually could likely be tied to this visit - it would be nice for the author to have done more homework here.

It's almost a bit like a history lesson. While "The Kings Speech" did get nominated for Oscars and was a huge success, not the same can be said about this movie. Although it does have two of the same main "characters" in it. Played a different set of actors of course. And then you also have Bill Murray. The ever reliable and very funny man, who's playing a charismatic, while disabled President.It does check many boxes and it is pretty to look at. But it doesn't feel like something that will appeal to a huge crowd of people. The "story" is very limited and while the end/event is something that might get a little excitement out of you, the rest of the movie seems to lack that passion.

I enjoyed this movie, it is entertaining mostly, but as I watched it something just didn't seem right. Later I read some comments by a FDR biographer and it cleared up a few things. An excerpt: " The story is ludicrous - any reading of Geoffrey Ward's book, "Closest Companion," which tells their story through her letters and diaries, indicates no intimate relationship. I have been writing and lecturing on FDR for decades and ...I have no doubt that this film is more of a parody and its conclusions should not be taken with any seriousness." So in truth they have taken a few real people and real events and made a movie which stretches the truth often, and sometimes simply invents things just to try to make it more interesting. FDR really did have a cousin Daisy, and they really did develop a close friendship, but the alleged affair appears to simply be made up. Plus a number of other things portrayed in this movie.The King and Queen of England really did visit him in 1939 at his Hyde Park on the Hudson retreat in New York, but what is depicted in the movie is more of a parody of them and their visit.Still for the most part I found it to be an enjoyable and entertaining movie as long as you don't take it too seriously. Bill Murray is FDR and Laura Linney is his 6th cousin Daisy. Olivia Williams seemed very appropriate as Eleanor Roosevelt.