Gently
evolving from an exquisite, beautifully observed comedy of manners to a blackly
farcical murder mystery, underpinned by a subtext of gradually revealed tragedy,
Altman’s antepenultimate film proves one of his best. The screenplay from Julian
Fellowes is full of wit and intrigue; Andrew Dunn’s photography is noteworthy; Altman’s
mise en scène is quite remarkable; and the brilliantly assembled cast is unsurprisingly
wonderful, with Emily Watson’s extraordinary turn proving the pick of the performances.
That said, Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kelly Macdonald, Clive Owen,
Helen Mirren, and Richard E. Grant (amongst so many others) are also excellent.
A delight.
