The Duchess
Paramount Vantage
110 mins.
September 10, 2008
Rated: PG-13
I had looked forward to watching this movie for some time and ultimately very much enjoyed it. Keira Knightly plays another period role (which seems to be her thing) and beautifully exudes the time period and feel of the character. She played the Duchess of Devonshire as I would have imagined her – beautiful, smart, impassioned. Another actor that I LOVE is Ralph Finnes – and he plays the older husband of Knightly’s character, the Duke of Devonshire. He really is an actor that I love to hate, since I usually despise his characters (and it is no different here) but I love his acting. He is very restrained and so insensitive and infuriating all at the same time. The other name that I recognized is Dominic Cooper, who plays Charles Grey – you may remember him from the feature film version of Mamma Mia!. All the roles were very well acted.
The costumes were gorgeous and I am going to assume rather authentic. The film won the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Satellite Award for Best Costume Design. Knightly certainly had so many hairdos that I am hoping many were wigs, otherwise I cannot imagine the amount of time that needed to be spent in hair and makeup!
While there are small pockets of slowness in the storytelling, overall I enjoyed this film. There was so much passion and deception and betrayal in this film that kept it interesting.
Check out this trailer:
Copyright © 2011 by The Maiden’s Court
I loved this film! Rather bittersweet but very beautifully done. Some of the absolute best costuming from this period I've ever seen--they really captured how the clothing changed over the period of years the film covered, which I've never seen done before. I left the theater and immediately started planning new clothes!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to watch this movie for ages, but never seem to get around to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Rowenna - there are certainly some amazing costumes - I can just imagine you planning them out!
ReplyDeleteMelissa - It is one that is worth the watch. Hoe you get to see it someday!
Mmmm. I love this movie. I'm not a huge Keira Knightly fan, but I loved her in this film. I also love Cooper and Finnes. They are brillant actors. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI recently got the book this movie is based on so I want to read it first, then see the movie. I love Knightly. She seems to choose projects that she likes and enjoys. Not always the career making movies, although she already has that :)
ReplyDeleteCarole Rae - I have actually liked Keira in most of her movies - I usually like her best in the historical roles tho. I don't know why!
ReplyDeleteJenny - I have wanted to pick up the book as well (which I didn't know about until after having seen the movie) - just haven't had the time.