Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:19PM Bill Murray vs America in 'Hyde Park on the Hudson'
Bill Murray in “Semi-Serious-Actor-Mode!” Well, at least that’s what being bandied about town now that news has come out of the venerable funnyman’s new role as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the upcoming Hyde Park on the Hudson.
It might not be Presidential, but it's definitely Lodger Moore.
The story takes place in June, 1939 in upstate New York, during the course of the first-ever visit to the States by the UK’s reigning monarchy, which is setting enough for some hardcore semi-serious action, but that’s not where the real focus is set to lie.
FDR’s known for a lot of things including those thrilling Fireside Chats, the New Deal, and helping bring about the end of World War II. But he also had a few rather...frisky, secrets, namely several extramarital affairs. The movie will pull focus to one of these, bring the alleged affair Roosevelt had with his sixth cousin, Margaret Suckley, who was also a close confident of the 32nd President. Though it’s unclear what the exact nature of their relationship was, letters discovered after FDR’s death seem to indicate an emotional and intellectual, if not physical, affair.
It’s hard to know whether the film plans to leave a certain ambiguity to Margaret and FDR’s relationship, but having Murray, ever a master of subtle, if unconfirmed attraction (Lost in Translation, for example) in the fold can only be a bonus.
The film is based on a popular British radio play by the same name, and will be adapted by Richard Nelson and directed by Notting Hill’s Roger Michell. Michell’s presence could allow for a certain degree of lightness to go along with the vaguely romantic subtext. And that’s a good thing; for a story like this, there honestly needs to be some levity, lest we get bogged down with, you know, history.
Speaking of history, remember that “visiting monarch” backdrop we first mentioned? The monarch in question was none other than King George VI, who’s recently had a bit of a popular revival due to Colin Firth’s Oscar win as George for The King’s Speech. I’m not demanding a cameo from the self-deprecating delight that is Mr. Firth, but come on. It would be glorious. And if Michael Sheen can be UK film and television’s Resident-Tony-Blair, Colin Firth can surely be a resident monarch (sigh, if only in my heart.)
Semi-serious or no, it’s refreshing to see Bill Murray continuing to take on exciting and challenging new roles. While “semi-serious” might be a poor way to describe Murray’s role, his performance might just leave a few people wishing he’d really make a run for office.
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