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DOWNTON ABBEY – Review – We Are Movie Geeks

Review

DOWNTON ABBEY – Review

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Elizabeth McGovern stars as Lady Grantham and Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham and in DOWNTON ABBEY, a Focus Features release. Credit: Jaap Buitendijk / © 2019 Focus Features, LLC

Fans of the highly-praised British historical TV series will welcome the return of DOWNTON ABBEY but this return to the lavish, high-fashion1920s and the entertaining aristocratic Crawley family, and their equally-entertaining resourceful servants, delivers delights for those who are not familiar with the popular show as well. The movie picks up not too long after the end of the series, as the Crawley family prepares for an overnight visit by the king and queen, a treat that sends everyone, upstairs and down, scrambling to make sure everything is perfect. The royal visit creates a focus to revisit the characters, and once again experience the show’s mix of snappy dialog, colorful personalities, and social commentary in a time of momentous change.

A lot could have gone wrong in translating this beloved British historical series to the big screen but creator/co-writer Julian Fellowes gets everything right. Rather than recapping the whole series in a movie, he just builds on where the series left off, revisiting the memorable characters as they continue their journeys, but adding just enough background to bring newcomers up to speed without slowing things down for long-time Downton Abbey fans.

Julian Fellowes built on ideas he introduced in his film GOSFORD PARK in creating the original DOWNTON ABBEY television show, which aired in the U.S. on PBS. The original series combined elements from earlier BBC class-divide dramas like “Upstairs, Downstairs” with a focus on the enormous social, political and economic changes that Britain experienced in the early 20th century, as the old aristocratic system gave way to a more democratic one, women asserted their rights, Ireland clamored for freedom, and technology and fashions entered a period of dazzling change. But the series spiked these serious changes with the some sparkling, pointed dialog and memorable characters, making it an enjoyable and fascinating journey.

The show followed one aristocratic family, the Crawleys, headed by a minor earl of a country estate and the family’s servants as the household of grand Downton Abbey weathers the tumultuous social and political changes of the early 20th century following World War I. While the family faces some economic challenges as the old aristocratic economic model fades, the story ends in the economic boom of the 1920s, before the Great Depression that followed the 1929 crash.

The Crawley family – and their servants – always were an independent, even prickly, bunch, with sibling rivalries and clashing personalities keeping us amused. The TV series’ story started shortly after the sinking of the Titanic, and follow the upstairs and downstairs residents of Downton Abbey in the daily lives against the backdrop of historic changes, The Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), his American heiress wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and their daughters, saw their leisurely lives of fox hunts and formal dances are transformed into a more active, participatory one demanded by new economic realities and costs of running their grand estate. At the same time, there was a family saga of conflicts and change, romance and tragedy. Of course, it is not all about the aristocratic Crawley family but the lives of their servants, anchored by butler Mr Carson (Jim Carter) and head housekeeper Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan), as they all face changing times, with plenty of clashes, romances and heartbreak of their own.

Sharp, clever dialog was always part of the fun of this series,, as well as memorable characters and outstanding story arcs. The series dealt with serious matters like women’s issues, Irish independence, gay issues, and the breaking down of old class barriers, but it also offered a bunch of great characters and a fair dose of clever, often humor-twinged dialog, so it was just fun to watch. Maggie Smith became a fan favorite in particular, with her famous zingers as the family’s matriarch, the sharp tongued Dowager Countess.

The series’ blend of history, social commentary and family drama proved a potent mix that drew in millions of viewers but it did not hurt that this story takes place in the 1910s-1920s, a period filled with some of history’s most gorgeous fashions, plus elegant cars, and opulent mansions. Period sets were posh and the series was filmed in some wonderful British locations, not the least of which is Highclere Castle, the real country estate that plays Downton Abbey in the movie and series.

All that good stuff, and the cast, are back in this movie version. While the series often dealt with serious topics, alternating with indulging in sheer period lushness, the movie keeps things on the lighter side, focusing on giving the audience all the glittering 20’s fashions, stylish roadsters, and posh settings you could want. Still, a few social topics crop up and the beloved characters return to work out those issues and their relationships, just as fans hope.

The film gives just enough background to help newbies catch on, without bogging down the story in too much detail. The preparations for the royal visit creates enough conflict and tension to bring old battles to the fore, while also giving the family and their loyal staff something to rally around, in support of the grand house. And Highclere Castle is still ready for its close-up, as are all the folks in Downton Abbey.

It is not just the amazing Maggie Smith who shines again in this movie version, but the whole returning cast. Back in high style as the Earl and Countess of Grantham are Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, who like her character is an American ex-pat who long has lived in England, Also back are sniping sisters Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), sharp-tongued like her grandma, and milder Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), now finally enjoying some personal happiness in her marriage to an influential aristocrat. As in the series, Lady Mary is often in charge upstairs but the servants run much of the real show.

Returning are Brendon Coyle as manservant Bates and Joanne Froggatt as lady’s maid Anna, whose romance electrified several seasons, and so are the wonderful butler Carson (Jim Carter), now retired, and the complicated, gay Barrow (Robert James-Collier), now butler, who butt heads over the royal visit. Feisty cook Mrs Patmore (Leslie Nicol) and her rebellious assistant Daisy (Sophie McShera) are back to heat up the kitchen, while Branson (Allen Leach), the Irish chauffeur who married a Crawley daughter, still grapples with conflicted feelings about his place in the world. Adding to this rich stew is Imelda Stanton as a Crawley cousin who is a lady-in-waiting to the queen, and who has long-running beef with Smith’s dowager countess. Meanwhile, worthy opponent Penelope Wilton, as in-law Isobel Merton, still trades barbs with the incomparable Smith. You know sparks, and zingers, will fly. All this talented cast shine, as does the film’s writing.

A DOWNTON ABBEY movie was not really needed, as the series was tied up nicely at the end, nor is this any kind of ground-breaking film, but it is a pleasant, entertaining experience, one well worth the time. The return visit is nice for fans, and the movie was perfectly crafted for that purpose, but the film was enjoyable enough that it might draw a few new fans to the old series. Filled with great characters crafted by talented actors, sparkling snappy dialog, a brisk pace and delightful period settings, DOWNTON ABBEY is pure delight for fans of the award-winning series and any audience who enjoys period films. DOWNTON ABBEY opens Friday, Sept. 20, at the Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

RATING: 3 1/2 out of 4 stars