Downton Abbey-A Movie Review
The film begins in 1927 by following the journey of a letter from Buckingham Palace to Downton Abbey. The letter arrives at Downton Abbey, received by Andy, the footman and handed over to Mr. Thomas Barrow, the Butler. Robert Crawley, The Earl of Grantham, is given the mail as soon as he comes downstairs for breakfast with his daughter, Lady Mary Talbot, and son-in-law, Tom Branson. Robert reads the letter and announces that King George V and Queen Mary are coming to Downton as part of a royal tour through the country. Queen Mary’s Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Maud Bagshaw, is the cousin of Lord Grantham, however, the two families have fallen out due to an inheritance issue. The Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, is told by her son Robert that Maud is coming to Downton. She is shocked and perturbed by the news. Violet believes Robert is being cheated out of a rightful inheritance. The Royal Staff arrive; including the Royal Page of the Backstairs, the Queen’s Royal Dresser and the King’s Royal Dresser, Mr. Richard Ellis. The Downton staff is caught off guard by the arrogance of the Royal staff.
Director: Michael Engler
Writers: Julian Fellowes (screenplay by)
Cast: Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode, Tuppence Middleton, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Joanne Froggatt, Imelda Staunton, Raquel Cassidy, Robert James-Collier, Kate Phillips, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Brendan Coyle, Hugh Bonneville, Geraldine James, Jim Carter, Max Brown, Simon Jones, Penelope Wilton, Stephen Campbell Moore, Lesley Nicol, Mark Addy, David Haig, Michael Fox, Susan Lynch, Harry Hadden-Paton, Kevin Doyle
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA): Rated PG for thematic elements, some suggestive material, and language; Runtime: 122 min; Release Date: 20 September 2019 (USA); Genre: Drama.
Me and Lay saw this at a 5:30 showing at AMC Veterans 24 yesterday. We rarely see movies on their opening weekend, but since we were able to get to an early showing, we chanced it. Even that early, the theater was about half full.
After about two seasons of the television series, I decided to catch up by streaming and see what all the fuss was about. I fell in love with the series and was as anxious as any other fan to see the movie. First, I’m not sure what I expected. Often a “movie” remake of a series strives for the extraordinary, and I suppose a royal visit is that, but the movie played very much as a couple of episodes of the series did, and I was happy for that.
The entire cast was amazing, including the few new characters who made appearances. It must be hard to resume playing a character after years away from them but they all managed to do it well. Pretty much all the actors returned which was nice for fans. I loved that every character got a moment, no matter how big or small. New storylines were created, and some were wrapped up (as happened during the series).
All the usual performances are as good as in the Television production but I really enjoyed the addition of Geraldine James as Queen Mary and Imelda Staunton as Lady Bagshaw cousin to the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley played beautifully as usual by Maggie Smith. And the Dowager Countess was as sharp-tongued as ever and made me chuckle out-loud more than once. Yet in the end we see a beautifully gracious side of her.
The writing and directing was spot on. Great to see the original team still has what it takes. Grand yet subtle. The costumes, of course, were stunning as usual. The attention to detail is very much to be awed.
The plot was perfect. It was a new storyline but had all the hallmarks of a great Downton episode. Plenty of laughs, lots of little romantic moments, that ordered chaos we all know and love, and of course a wonderfully acted bittersweet moment from two of my favorite characters (I won’t spoil it).
I give it 10 stars, and I’d go back and see it again today. Let us know what your thought
(1 votes, average: 10.00 out of 10)
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