Nine years ago, the world was introduced to the Crawleys and their eccentric staff. Over the course of six seasons, we grew to laugh, cry, and love with them. Now, we return to the lavish estate, with our favorite aristocratic family, for one more outing...of royal sorts.
The film is carbon copy of a standard episode of the beloved television series filled with extensive plot lines and twists that will make an average Joe's head spin. And we all thought Mrs. Patmore had a lot on her plate.
I enjoyed how the film opened up with the post sequence as it was a callback to the very first episode, in which the Crawleys received the telegram that would set them on this journey in the first place. I only wished that they cut it down by a few seconds; it was obvious that the music was going to swell as the castle appeared over the hill, and it was like watching porn. You kept waiting for the money shot, but you've finished and you're tired by the time it actually arrived.
What would probably help boost viewership amongst non-Downton Abbey fans is that Professor McGonagall and Dolores Umbridge once again square off in this film as it once again threatens the security of Downton Abbey's future. At least by the end of the film Umbridge realizes she musn't tell lies.
Many of us, I'm sure, aren't quite over Cousin Matthew's death in season three. I'm not. Perhaps the writers knew this and kept Lady Mary's new husband, Lord Talbot, out of the picture for as long as they could. In fact, many small details, in the latter half of the series, had slipped through cracks, so it took much of the film's runtime to piece it all back together. I forgot Daisy was betrothed, and I thought Mrs. Hughes retired with Carson. I also forgot Anna and Mr. Bates have a child now. There are some things, however, you can't forget: Mr. Mosley. It was probably brilliant to not advertise that Mosley would be involved. Seeing him in the film helped bring the humor out of such a serious story.
Another thing to remember is Tom Branson, once a chauffeur for the house, is an Irish republican, and it comes into play as the King's presence grew nearer. But seeing the change in character allowed us to see how much he's grown since his days as an angry servant. We even see him respark in an relationship that would benefit the family.
Thomas Barrow had probably the biggest character development ever seen, in the series, in this film. It is perhaps that being a film released in theaters, rather than on TV, gave it more liberty to explore his interests and background. We have known of Barrow's sexuality since the series premiere, so allowing it to mature the way it did in the film helped us to sympathize with him and be happy with him as he continues with his journey.
Okay, I lied. The biggest character development was in Lady Violet. Once a proud matriarch in the Crawley family, who followed traditions to the utmost degree, is now entrusting the Crawley name to Lady Mary, who doubted herself of her own involvement. Let's not forget that Violet teamed up with her frenemy, Cousin Isabelle, to defeat Umbridge, but allowing the family to move forward with Mary as the head instead of a male leader, is the biggest step she ever took. This whole story started with a telegram stating the heir to the Grantham title had died on the Titanic. Now Mary's the head of the household. You may ask, as non-Downton Abbey fans, why was this such a problem in the first place? Times have changed. And the Crawleys must change with it.
Fifteen years of Crawley history have been told over 52 episodes and a feature length film. It is a stunning farewell and a love letter to the television series that will forever be in our hearts. I'll admit that I didn't really want a film, but I'm glad I went and saw it. I'll be expecting it to be added to my collection alongside the boxset.
I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return Friday with another movie. See you then.
Released on: September 20, 2019
Rating: PG
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton
Director: Michael Engler
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Videos
Saturday Night Live - Downton Abbey Trailer
The film is carbon copy of a standard episode of the beloved television series filled with extensive plot lines and twists that will make an average Joe's head spin. And we all thought Mrs. Patmore had a lot on her plate.
I enjoyed how the film opened up with the post sequence as it was a callback to the very first episode, in which the Crawleys received the telegram that would set them on this journey in the first place. I only wished that they cut it down by a few seconds; it was obvious that the music was going to swell as the castle appeared over the hill, and it was like watching porn. You kept waiting for the money shot, but you've finished and you're tired by the time it actually arrived.
What would probably help boost viewership amongst non-Downton Abbey fans is that Professor McGonagall and Dolores Umbridge once again square off in this film as it once again threatens the security of Downton Abbey's future. At least by the end of the film Umbridge realizes she musn't tell lies.
Many of us, I'm sure, aren't quite over Cousin Matthew's death in season three. I'm not. Perhaps the writers knew this and kept Lady Mary's new husband, Lord Talbot, out of the picture for as long as they could. In fact, many small details, in the latter half of the series, had slipped through cracks, so it took much of the film's runtime to piece it all back together. I forgot Daisy was betrothed, and I thought Mrs. Hughes retired with Carson. I also forgot Anna and Mr. Bates have a child now. There are some things, however, you can't forget: Mr. Mosley. It was probably brilliant to not advertise that Mosley would be involved. Seeing him in the film helped bring the humor out of such a serious story.
Another thing to remember is Tom Branson, once a chauffeur for the house, is an Irish republican, and it comes into play as the King's presence grew nearer. But seeing the change in character allowed us to see how much he's grown since his days as an angry servant. We even see him respark in an relationship that would benefit the family.
Thomas Barrow had probably the biggest character development ever seen, in the series, in this film. It is perhaps that being a film released in theaters, rather than on TV, gave it more liberty to explore his interests and background. We have known of Barrow's sexuality since the series premiere, so allowing it to mature the way it did in the film helped us to sympathize with him and be happy with him as he continues with his journey.
Okay, I lied. The biggest character development was in Lady Violet. Once a proud matriarch in the Crawley family, who followed traditions to the utmost degree, is now entrusting the Crawley name to Lady Mary, who doubted herself of her own involvement. Let's not forget that Violet teamed up with her frenemy, Cousin Isabelle, to defeat Umbridge, but allowing the family to move forward with Mary as the head instead of a male leader, is the biggest step she ever took. This whole story started with a telegram stating the heir to the Grantham title had died on the Titanic. Now Mary's the head of the household. You may ask, as non-Downton Abbey fans, why was this such a problem in the first place? Times have changed. And the Crawleys must change with it.
Fifteen years of Crawley history have been told over 52 episodes and a feature length film. It is a stunning farewell and a love letter to the television series that will forever be in our hearts. I'll admit that I didn't really want a film, but I'm glad I went and saw it. I'll be expecting it to be added to my collection alongside the boxset.
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I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return Friday with another movie. See you then.
Released on: September 20, 2019
Rating: PG
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton
Director: Michael Engler
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Videos
Saturday Night Live - Downton Abbey Trailer
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