Gosford Park

After the misfire "Dr. T and the Women", Robert Altman is back on top form with Gosford Park, in which he uses a crime story as a pretext for flaying the rigid English class system of a bygone era.

The film is set in 1932 at the country estate of Gosford Park, where Sir William McCordle, his wife Lady Sylvia and their daughter Isobel reside. The household invites family and friends, accompanied by their servants, to a large shooting party, but several of the guests have not come just to enjoy themselves. They are more or less desperate to get a share of Sir William's fortune, but he is not in a generous mood. When the maid Elsie causes a scandal by defending Sir William during dinner, the fine manners, the polite phrases and the impeccable facade cannot hide the strained atmosphere. That same evening Sir William is found murdered - twice, no less.

Many could benefit from Sir William's death, but can Inspector Thompson find out who the murderer is?

The murder mystery is actually secondary, for Robert Altman's errand is first and foremost to skewer the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie and the class divide between masters and servants. When Elsie breaks the rules and reveals her affair with Sir William, it is grounds for dismissal. Gosford Park is funny and satirical, but the ending contains a genuine and moving tragedy that really feeds the critique of the unjust social system.

Altman once again works with a large and almost bewildering cast of characters, and you need to be on your toes if you are to keep up. Gosford Park is a film that would reward a second viewing.