Seeing this film brought to mind a private round of Clue! A collection of notable people—some more so than others—are gathered at the grand estate of "Sir William McCordle" (played by Sir Michael Gambon). As the party progresses and everyone becomes increasingly inebriated, it’s revealed that their host has been financially supporting many of these privileged individuals for quite some time, and a few have grown rather reliant on his generosity. What actions might they take to ensure a portion of his wealth? Could they even eliminate him entirely? That's the central puzzle presented by Julian Fellowes and Robert Altman, in this oddly charming upstairs/downstairs mystery that satirizes people from all walks of life with cruelty, desire, and plenty of dark, frequently sarcastic humor. Ryan Philippe seems out of place among this group of Knights and Dames, but he injects a certain vitality into his unpleasant character ("Denton"), and in many ways serves as a good contrast to the otherwise predictable depiction of the wealthy, empty-headed gentry—the self-important, the arrogant, and the selfish. The writing is strong, and the story moves along well after a somewhat sluggish beginning that introduces a large number of characters all at once. Kristin Scott Thomas seems perfectly suited for these types of roles; Stephen Fry performs admirably as the police officer "Thompson," and Dame Maggie Smith, naturally, embodies her part with ease. It does run on a bit, but considering the sheer number of characters involved, potential misleading clues, character takedowns, and general shenanigans, it’s probably about as brief as it could be. Once it gains speed, it maintains its energy, looks wonderful, and comfortably ranks among the finest period dramas—thankfully devoid of any Jane Austen influences!

Source on TMDB