FDR Hollywood-Style
"We need a fresh idea for a period piece," said one Hollywood executive to another. "Something about Franklin D. Roosevelt," his associate said, "but what about? The Great Depression? World War II? His battle with polio?" "No," the executive firmly asserted, "a love affair with his cousin." That's pretty much how I envision the creation of this movie came about. Gotta love a film about love and scandal, right? Unfortunately and predictably, this movie was neither good nor bad, it simply "was."
I mean, I love Bill Murray as much as the next person, but really? FDR? I think he was selected because he somewhat looks like the guy and not much else. He had to limp his way (literally) through a strained portrayal of the famous president. Laura Linney wasn't terrible, but she wasn't on her A-game either, and unfortunately for Samuel West, it is pretty difficult to get away successfully with the part of "Bertie" after it was so masterfully depicted by Colin Firth. The one thing that this movie had working in its favor was good humor and comedy. Murray had a lot of one-liners that I was able to evoke chuckles towards.
Otherwise, this is another one of those movies that probably looked really good on paper but didn't really amount to anything. For a movie about love affairs, the film is surprisingly tame. Maybe if FDR could actually walk and move for himself, it would have been more powerful somehow, but again, Murray's limited range as a semi-serious actor (Lost in Translation being the exception) hindered the ability of FDR to be, uh, brought to life, if you know what I mean. The movie just felt hollowed out, with any attempt at dramatic interplay dampened by poor screenplay direction.
With that said, I wouldn't recommend it, unless like me, you enjoy history and need SOMETHING to watch while on a transatlantic flight.
Written July 5, 2013
I mean, I love Bill Murray as much as the next person, but really? FDR? I think he was selected because he somewhat looks like the guy and not much else. He had to limp his way (literally) through a strained portrayal of the famous president. Laura Linney wasn't terrible, but she wasn't on her A-game either, and unfortunately for Samuel West, it is pretty difficult to get away successfully with the part of "Bertie" after it was so masterfully depicted by Colin Firth. The one thing that this movie had working in its favor was good humor and comedy. Murray had a lot of one-liners that I was able to evoke chuckles towards.
Otherwise, this is another one of those movies that probably looked really good on paper but didn't really amount to anything. For a movie about love affairs, the film is surprisingly tame. Maybe if FDR could actually walk and move for himself, it would have been more powerful somehow, but again, Murray's limited range as a semi-serious actor (Lost in Translation being the exception) hindered the ability of FDR to be, uh, brought to life, if you know what I mean. The movie just felt hollowed out, with any attempt at dramatic interplay dampened by poor screenplay direction.
With that said, I wouldn't recommend it, unless like me, you enjoy history and need SOMETHING to watch while on a transatlantic flight.
Written July 5, 2013