It felt about two hours shorter than "Lincoln" and on these grounds alone deserves a higher rating though "Lincoln" got its 7 from me for acting. The film, although bracketed by some history before and a little more after, it is mainly about a fairly small incident, the visit to the USA of the parents of the present Queen. At times it was almost "The King's Speech 2" and so it was more about them than FDR. You had to compare Samuel West with Colin Firth (not quite as convincing) and Olivia Colman with Helena Bonham-Carter (too toothy). Some of the royal scenes didn't quite work, eg the regal waves at a farm worker. Apparently hundreds of people lined the highway between New York and Hyde Park to see the King and Queen go by. I am also sure than QE would not have compared KG unfavourably with his brother and would not have reprimanded him over his stammer. Perhaps its attempts at comedy mixed its objectives. I can't remember seeing any dates, and this would have helped. The royal visit was June 1939 and so war really was imminent and the visit essential for the British. Having said that, it was an enjoyable though slight film.
Review of Hyde Park on Hudson
