Set in the 1930s, a group of pretentious rich and famous get together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters beco... Read allSet in the 1930s, a group of pretentious rich and famous get together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.Set in the 1930s, a group of pretentious rich and famous get together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 36 wins & 74 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe camera is always moving (if only slightly) in every shot as requested by producer and director Robert Altman.
- GoofsThe movie takes place in 1932 but some of the songs Ivor Novello sings for the guests didn't come out until years after, like "Glamorous Night" (1935), "Why It Wasn't You" (1937), "I Can Give You a Starlight" (1939) and "Waltz of My Heart" (1939).
- Quotes
[Morris Weissman is asked about his upcoming movie project]
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Mr Weissman.
Morris Weissman: Yes?
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Tell us about the film you're going to make.
Morris Weissman: Oh, sure. It's called "Charlie Chan In London". It's a detective story.
Mabel Nesbitt: Set in London?
Morris Weissman: Well, not really. Most of it takes place at a shooting party in a country house. Sort of like this one, actually. Murder in the middle of the night, a lot of guests for the weekend, everyone's a suspect. You know, that sort of thing.
Constance: How horrid. And who turns out to have done it?
Morris Weissman: Oh, I couldn't tell you that. It would spoil it for you.
Constance: Oh, but none of us will see it.
- Crazy creditsThe cast credits at the end are separated between above stairs, visitors and below stairs, arguably listed in order of status within the British class system.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Best Films of 2001 (2001)
- SoundtracksWaltz of My Heart
Performed by Christopher Northam
Composed by Ivor Novello & Christopher Hassall (as Christopher V. Hassall)
© Chappell/Music Limited
By Kind Permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
My plot summary suggests that this is a sort of murder mystery and that this will act as the driving force behind the narrative, however this is not the case and in reality the film is much more about the characters and relationships than it is about the murder. To this end the film will annoy some people who are perhaps not used to the sort of film that Altman produces and will be looking for the mystery aspect to be the all. However, I found the rather free-wheeling ensemble approach to be very enjoyable and the first hour moved quickly by thanks to the natural interactions and relationships and it was actually the mystery aspect that didn't work as well because it required too sudden a change in pace a change that the material seemed to resist and hamper. Despite this it does still work mainly because the Oscar winning writing brings out such convincing relationships and social politics, making it enjoyable and interesting throughout. The direction is great; the use of two cameras in group scenes means that the actors seem to flow around as naturally as their dialogue would suggest few seem forced to act to a fixed point and seem more realistic.
Considering the talent on board, it is not surprising that nobody really upstages anyone in particular and the ensemble feel is strong. Smith, Gambon, Thomas, Dance, Northam, Balaban and others make the upstairs fizzle with snobbery and unspoken resentments. Meanwhile the downstairs staff are just as well drawn and delivered by Mirren, Owen, Jacobi, Watson, Bates, Grant, Atkins and others. Stephen Fry is fairly minor within the plot but he is delightfully comic, even if he doesn't quite fit into the film that well.
Overall this is a classy film very much in the Altman style an ensemble piece of characters and relationships that we are left to drift within. Some viewers will find it frustrating that it takes so long to get to the point where the mystery kicks in but I actually found this to be the weaker aspect of the film and the most enjoyable parts were the well written characters and dialogue, which deservedly won Fellowes his Oscar.
- bob the moo
- May 1, 2005
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Other Side of the Tapestry
- Filming locations
- Syon House, Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK(interiors: upstairs bedrooms)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $19,800,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $41,308,615
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $241,219
- Dec 30, 2001
- Gross worldwide
- $87,754,044
- Runtime2 hours 17 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1