"Hyde Park on Hudson" is to WWII dramas as "Moscow on the Hudson" is to geopolitical thrillers...but without the charm or the Russians. Although there is a stronger performance by Murray than usual and a decent performance by Linney, the plot is slow and meandering, offering no real insight into FDR, Eleanor or any of the other players. A real disappointment, although "stars" are awarded for production value.

Though there seemed to be a lot to invest your attention in with this film, there is very little that will hold it. Set right before wartime in WWII, this film is set at the Roosevelt family home in upstate New York. The president, FDR, is staying there and running the country with the help of his advisors, mother, and wife, when she shows up. The visit from King George and his wife was an interesting story, especially because each seems to think the other is trying to claim superiority over the other. FDR is portrayed as an easy going, interesting, whimsical man, who likes to tell stories and is somewhat ashamed of his wheelchair. Bill Murray has a wide scope as an actor, and oftentimes he picks serious roles where he is at the bottom of the barrel and he needs to find some way to climb out. As FDR there is very little conflict, or unease about him, which is an unwelcome change of pace. There aren't any obstacles for him to overcome as president, and what little there is, is a simple fight with his fifth cousin, who narrates the film. Laura Linney plays her, as one of FDR's mistresses, confidant, and friend. The way she is portrayed in the film most lands on trusted advisor, and their relationship seems only alluded to, and only for a brief moment at the beginning. The main problem is that there's no tension or drama to this film. The screenwriter was one of the people who first found the real letters between FDR and Daisy (Linney) and wrote a script shortly after. This wasn't a scandal and it wasn't all that interesting, what with all his other mistresses, and the fact that the royals are ignored throughout. Mainly, the things that should have been explored in depth were not, and tension was incorrectly mounted in all other cases just to give this film a reason for being made. Murray may be engaging as the president, but even that doesn't make it watch worthy.