Sometimes when i see a movie i walk out of the theater with a strange sensation. Not exactly knowing what it was i just watched. It was not great, nor was it bad. And soon, within fifteen minutes of my departure from my seat, do i begin having trouble retelling the story of the movie or even saying what it was about. Gosford Park is one of those movies.

Robert Altman certainly shows that he is a very competent film-maker here. Both technically complete as well as narratively interesting this movie is filled with directorial skills. It certainly doesn't lack the actors either, this film is very well acted throughout. Which is not really surprising considering the credits, a long line of fine actors. The story is nothing revolutionary, but quite interestingly told. It's given from two perspectives, first the noble people and then their servants. A relationship that is also causing quite a lot of comedy.

So with all that i have recounted above this should be a great movie. Well, i would have to say both yes and no. While i found it to have many qualities there is just something about the whole thing that failed to excite me. Sometimes when i watch a movie i get the feeling that the director has almost worked too hard trying to perfect his style. I get that feeling here. The movie is almost too much, like someone somewhere is trying too hard. Or maybe it's just me. For whatever reasons this polished and well thought-through movie just didn't quite do it for me, even though it was certainly decent entertainment for as long as it lasted. I rate it 6/10.

The beginning is a little slow with occasions when you are not completely sure who the characters are or where the story is going to go. But about twenty-five minutes in, it picks up significantly and the rest is hugely entertaining stuff. The direction is spot on, Robert Altman can be hit and miss, but when he is in the hit category he is very good, which is the case here.

I also love Gosford Park for its witty dialogue especially seen with Maggie Smith, its beautiful autumnal setting though I love the cinematography and costumes just as much and the appropriately jazzy score. The story is lovely, with some great whodunit elements and themes such as class and social interaction.

The acting is very good. Stephen Fry is delightfully comic, and Ryan Phillippe is also decent. And while Kelly MacDonald does really well in the pivotal role, and Jeremy Northam and Michael Gambon are great value, it is Maggie Smith who steals the show in effortless bitchy mode.

Overall, a great and hugely entertaining film and one of Altman's best. I can understand why people mayn't like it, it is not for everyone but if you give it a chance you may find you'll like it. I also recommend Clue and Murder By Death, both focus more on the whodunit side but both are classics as far as I am concerned. 9/10 Bethany Cox

What an experience watching the opening credits and seeing name after famous name popping up. A shame the rest of this long-winded movie couldn't equal those giddy heights.

After about an hour or so of watching this supposed murder mystery, I realised that Robert Altman wasn't interested in making a mystery film at all. Instead, this is the classic "upstairs/downstairs" drama, exploring the interactions between upper class twits and their servants during the 1930s. Anyone who's seen DOWNTON ABBEY, REMAINS OF THE DAY or, indeed, UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS will know what they're getting into here.

I was entertained, but not overly so. The film did a good job of getting the different characters interacting, and the twists and humour when they come are good. But the use of a huge cast sacrifices any emotion, leaving this a very cold, technical exercise in filmmaking and something I wouldn't want to experience a second time.