Gosford Park
- Director: Robert Altman
- Writer: Julian Fellowes
- Producer: Robert Altman; Joshua Astrachan
CGiii Comment
The original Downton Abbey...with an exemplary cast.
Fellowes is let loose and is thwarted by Altman's messy direction.
The first third has all of Altman's annoyances (i.e. trademarks)...but, it does start to settle down and, by the final third we are treated to some damn fine writing - it did win the Oscar.
Downton Abbey really does let Fellowes' writing 'shine' without the Altman distraction.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Set in the 1930s, the story takes place in an old-fashioned English country house where a weekend shooting party is underway. The story centers on the McCordle family, particularly the man of the house, William McCordle. Getting on in years, William has become benefactor to many of his relatives and friends. As the weekend goes on, secrets are revealed, and it seems everyone, above stairs and below, wants a piece of William and his money, but how far will they go to get it?
Cast & Characters
Maggie Smith as Constance Trentham;
Michael Gambon as William McCordle;
Kristin Scott Thomas as Sylvia McCordle;
Camilla Rutherford as Isobel McCordle;
Charles Dance as Lord 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