DOWNTON ABBEY
****
Director: Michael Engler
Screenwriter: Julian Fellowes
Principal cast:
Hugh Bonneville
Elizabeth McGovern
Maggie Smith
Michelle Dockery
Jim Carter
Joanne Froggatt
Country: UK
Classification: PG
Runtime: 122 mins.
Australian release date: 12 September 2019
Previewed at: Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney, on 8 September 2019.
The much-anticipated sequel to the long running TV series Downton Abbey is about to debut on the big screen and all our old favourites from the original cast are set to return. Having run on television for six series, from 2010 to 2015, visiting this mini-universe is, by now, as comfortable as settling into a comfy armchair in your favourite slippers and enjoying a nice cuppa. Ahhh! The film even has the same name as the series - Downton Abbey - thus avoiding the potential for some frightful mix-up! The familiarity extends behind the lens, too; like the television series, the screenplay is written by Julian Fellowes, the creator of this Edwardian world, and the director is Michael Engler, who was responsible for the final three episodes of series six, and the last Christmas Special. So, we’re basically picking up from where we last left the Earl of Grantham and his empire, and we’re in safe hands. Phew! Your reviewers are attending a preview of the movie this very day and are abuzz with anticipation. Given the above information, it’s tempting to write our review right now, as accustomed to Downton and its denizens as we are, but that would be unfair. More later, then. Still, we can at least let you in on the synopsis.
It’s 1927 and the Crawleys of Downton Abbey (in reality, Highclere Castle in Hampshire) have been informed they are to receive a visit from their Royal Highnesses King George V and Queen Mary (Simon Jones and Geraldine James), so there’s great excitement both upstairs and downstairs. The royal visit will involve dinner and an overnight stay, so there’s much to do. The house and property are now firmly under the control of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) but she’s nervous about pulling off an event of this magnitude and implores the retired butler Carson (Jim Carter) to return and ensure that things run smoothly. This, of course, puts his replacement Barrow’s (Robert James-Collier) nose out of joint. Further complicating matters is the fact that the Royal couple are travelling with their own staff, naturally, and the intrusion of these arrogant interlopers ruffles feathers even more. Throw in some surprising news from Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), and it becomes clear that Mary will have to make some important decisions about the survival of Downton Abbey.
Later - just back from the preview. Well, somebody must have spiked that tea! Fellowes’ very clever script utilises everything but the kitchen sink to create a plot that has brief but important roles for all the main characters and raises issues about republicanism versus the monarchy, gay rights (gasp!), modernism and the future of the stately homes, and more, while still coming up with a highly entertaining and amusing couple of hours. It’s an extraordinary, multi-faceted piece of work and proof positive of his ability to write both story and dialogue. As usual, his best lines are given to the Dowager Countess and Baroness Merton (Penelope Wilton), who spar constantly with witticisms like, “Will you have enough clichés to get you through the visit?” Reply, “If not, I’ll come to you.” It doesn’t get any better than that! Granted, he does lose his sense of time and place on occasion; servants (let’s face it, that’s what they were) wouldn’t have spoken to their ‘masters’ as some of these characters speak to theirs.
That aside, there’s enough pomp and ceremony, eye to detail, gorgeous costumes and old-world manners (and romance, did we mention romance?) to satisfy the most ardent Downton Abbey fan, all of it accompanied by variations on John Lunn’s wonderful theme music. Downton Abbey, the film, superbly combines a multitude of threads, giving everyone involved a satisfactory conclusion to their bit of the story. As another famous writer might have put it, “All’s well that ends well.”
Screenwriter: Julian Fellowes
Principal cast:
Hugh Bonneville
Elizabeth McGovern
Maggie Smith
Michelle Dockery
Jim Carter
Joanne Froggatt
Country: UK
Classification: PG
Runtime: 122 mins.
Australian release date: 12 September 2019
Previewed at: Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney, on 8 September 2019.
The much-anticipated sequel to the long running TV series Downton Abbey is about to debut on the big screen and all our old favourites from the original cast are set to return. Having run on television for six series, from 2010 to 2015, visiting this mini-universe is, by now, as comfortable as settling into a comfy armchair in your favourite slippers and enjoying a nice cuppa. Ahhh! The film even has the same name as the series - Downton Abbey - thus avoiding the potential for some frightful mix-up! The familiarity extends behind the lens, too; like the television series, the screenplay is written by Julian Fellowes, the creator of this Edwardian world, and the director is Michael Engler, who was responsible for the final three episodes of series six, and the last Christmas Special. So, we’re basically picking up from where we last left the Earl of Grantham and his empire, and we’re in safe hands. Phew! Your reviewers are attending a preview of the movie this very day and are abuzz with anticipation. Given the above information, it’s tempting to write our review right now, as accustomed to Downton and its denizens as we are, but that would be unfair. More later, then. Still, we can at least let you in on the synopsis.
It’s 1927 and the Crawleys of Downton Abbey (in reality, Highclere Castle in Hampshire) have been informed they are to receive a visit from their Royal Highnesses King George V and Queen Mary (Simon Jones and Geraldine James), so there’s great excitement both upstairs and downstairs. The royal visit will involve dinner and an overnight stay, so there’s much to do. The house and property are now firmly under the control of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) but she’s nervous about pulling off an event of this magnitude and implores the retired butler Carson (Jim Carter) to return and ensure that things run smoothly. This, of course, puts his replacement Barrow’s (Robert James-Collier) nose out of joint. Further complicating matters is the fact that the Royal couple are travelling with their own staff, naturally, and the intrusion of these arrogant interlopers ruffles feathers even more. Throw in some surprising news from Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), and it becomes clear that Mary will have to make some important decisions about the survival of Downton Abbey.
Later - just back from the preview. Well, somebody must have spiked that tea! Fellowes’ very clever script utilises everything but the kitchen sink to create a plot that has brief but important roles for all the main characters and raises issues about republicanism versus the monarchy, gay rights (gasp!), modernism and the future of the stately homes, and more, while still coming up with a highly entertaining and amusing couple of hours. It’s an extraordinary, multi-faceted piece of work and proof positive of his ability to write both story and dialogue. As usual, his best lines are given to the Dowager Countess and Baroness Merton (Penelope Wilton), who spar constantly with witticisms like, “Will you have enough clichés to get you through the visit?” Reply, “If not, I’ll come to you.” It doesn’t get any better than that! Granted, he does lose his sense of time and place on occasion; servants (let’s face it, that’s what they were) wouldn’t have spoken to their ‘masters’ as some of these characters speak to theirs.
That aside, there’s enough pomp and ceremony, eye to detail, gorgeous costumes and old-world manners (and romance, did we mention romance?) to satisfy the most ardent Downton Abbey fan, all of it accompanied by variations on John Lunn’s wonderful theme music. Downton Abbey, the film, superbly combines a multitude of threads, giving everyone involved a satisfactory conclusion to their bit of the story. As another famous writer might have put it, “All’s well that ends well.”