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
The story moves on as the characters begin to establish their names and the audience learns their varying social status. The intertwining stories among the guests begin to surface and the audience begins to realize there is much more in this house than what meets the eye.
During the night one member of the elite group is killed. None of the guests seemed to be fazed by this event and are only upset by the inconvenience it sets up for their lives.
The only one troubled is Constance, Countess of Trentham's maid, Mary (Kelly McDonald). The story begins to focus on Mary, who discovers secrets among the visitors and leads the audience to solve the mystery.
The great aspect about this film is Robert Altman's abilities to bring the past to life. He pays excellent attention to detail and is able to recreate the feelings and morals during the time period. He emerges the audience into a film world filled with history and story. Throughout the film Altman visually shows the audience the contrast between social classes through his various shots, lighting techniques, and camera filters. His fluid camera movements visually portray foreshadowing and relationship among characters. These elements give the audience a complete understanding of the mood and atmosphere in the film.
I recommend this movie to anybody who has the patience to sit and focus on this excellent film. Although the beginning is appropriately slow moving and the characters names are difficult to remember, the payoff is worth the efforts. This movie is made for active film viewers and all Robert Altman fans.
- Mezzotint91
- Feb 27, 2002
- 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