US (2001): Comedy/Crime/Mystery/Drama
Gosford Park finds director Robert Altman in sumptuously fine form indeed. From the opening shots, as the camera peers through the trees at an opulent English country estate, Altman exploits the 1930s period setting and whodunit formula of the film expertly. Aristocrats gather together for a weekend shooting party with their dutiful servants in tow, and the upstairs/downstairs division of the classes is perfectly tailored to Altman's method of overlapping bits of dialogue and numerous subplots in order to betray underlying motives and the sins that propel them. Greed, vengeance, snobbery, and lust stir comic unrest as the near dizzying effect of brisk script turns is allayed by perhaps Altman's strongest ensemble to date. First and foremost, Maggie Smith is marvelous as Constance, a dependent countess with a quip for every occasion; Michael Gambon, as the ill-fated host, Sir William McCordle, is one of the most palpably salacious characters ever on screen; Kristin Scott Thomas is perfectly cold yet sexy as Lady Sylvia, Sir William's wife; and Helen Mirren, Emily Watson, and Clive Owen are equally memorable as key characters from the bustling servants' quarters below. This film manages to be fabulously entertaining while exposing human shortcomings, compromises, and our endless need for confession. (Amazon.com)
7 nominations, 1 Award
· Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 2001: Julian Fellowes
· Best Motion Picture of the Year 2001: Robert Altman, Bob Balaban and David Levy, Producers
· Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2001: Helen Mirren
· Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2001: Maggie Smith
· Achievement in Directing 2001: Robert Altman
· Achievement in Art Direction 2001: Stephen Altman; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
· Achievement in Costume Design 2001: Jenny Beavan