Just before WWII, Roosevelt invites the king and queen of England on a picnic.

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President of the USA since 1932, Franklin Roosevelt (Bill Murray) retires to his home in Hyde Park on Hudson between attempts to jump-start the economy. To distract him from sinusitis, his distant cousin Daisy (Laura Linney) is sent for. The two go on long rides in his convertible and soon become lovers. Twelve weeks before the war explodes, King George VI of England visits Roosevelt in hopes of receiving American aid for the impending battle. The English are shocked by the American's lack of reserve: the president likes not only a good drink, but also women and hot dogs. Who will cause a scene? Queen Elisabeth, Roosevelt's wife Eleanor, his mother, or his mistress Missy? Or perhaps even Daisy ?

This wonderful movie by Roger Michell, full of insider peaks at people we're used to seeing on podiums, revisits the famous (since the release of The King's Speech) king with a speech impediment and low self-esteem. This time it's Roosevelt – the president who lost his ability to walk to polio – who puts him at ease and reassures him that no one sees our handicaps but ourselves. The small stories meet the big picture, and you catch yourself wondering what would have happened if the Americans hadn't supported the Allies, if they had only looked after themselves, as Roosevelt's opponents advised.