I did not get to the movie continuation of Downton Abbey when it opened in theaters here this last September. However, having recently debuted on home video, it's actually a film experience that's perfectly timed for viewing during the holiday season.
Downton ended its televised run nearly perfectly, serving delightful departing resolutions to all the members of the Crawley household - both upstairs, and downstairs.
So when news broke of a film expansion that would further franchise Downton, loud came the cries of, "Is this movie necessary?"
Well, perhaps not "necessary," but a return to the comforting environments and challenges of Downton is welcome indeed. It's a genuine pleasure to spend time with these characters again, and it's a delight to see that making a feature film in no way tarnishes the gleam of the series, or the characters as we left them.
Set in 1927, the film begins with the arrival of news that King George V and Queen Mary (Grandparents to Queen Elizabeth II) will be visiting Downton during a royal tour of the English countryside (inspired by a similar visit made by the royals in 1912 to Wentworth Woodhouse). This of course sends everyone into a dither, as both the Crawley family and their servants, become intent on making sure they're seen at their absolute best.
Simply put, if you're a fan of the series (as I am), I can't imagine you not absolutely loving this film.
Everything people are fond of - and take comfort from - is there. The beloved characters, the splendid period detail, the machinations of plot, the manners and emotions - it's all right where it should be, and Downton achieves exactly what it's meant to - feeling like a larger, lavish, but absolutely fitting bookend to the TV series. It's by no means squeezing too much juice from the lemon. Series creator and screenwriter Julian Fellowes knows his characters well, and the cast slips back into their roles with engaging grace. Series veteran Michael Engler directs with a sure and lively hand, though there's a bit of over-reliance on sweeping drone shots of the Downton estate - kidding, who isn't? Engler does a marvelous job of controlling the tone, and letting the actors find genuine immediacy in their circumstances.
As always, the cast is first-rate. Tom Branson (Allen Leach) gets the lion's share of the Crawley family plot, and does a great job, comfortably wielding movie star charisma. Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nichol), and Daisy (Sophie McShera), along with poor old Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle), enjoy rolling up their sleeves and mixing it up with the royal household staff, who mean to enforce their territorial prerogatives over the Downton maids and valets.
No surprise, however, that it's Tom Barrow (Robert James-Collier) who carries much of the emotional weight, with an interesting look at the beginnings of suppressed gay relationships determined to dream of a life beyond covert meetings in the shadows.
It's a hoot to see series favorite the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) lock antlers with a royal relative played by Imelda Staunton, making for a Professor McGonagall/Dolores Umbridge Harry Potter reunion! Amusingly, Staunton is also married to Jim Carter, who plays Carson!
These days, the phrase "fan service" has become something of a four-letter word. But for fans who've loved and struggled along with these characters since the series' debut in 2010, that a film has lovingly been made with every effort to actually please fans shouldn't be something that's scowled at. It should be cause for celebration.
At one point, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) finds herself wondering if she's simply had enough of Downton, and wonders if she should just up and sell the place, when she's reminded that "Downton Abbey is the heart of this community," and that perhaps they should battle on.
Perhaps the same could be said for future cinematic outings. If they can approach each chapter with this much care and fondness, occasional visitations would be welcome indeed. I'd love to see a Downton chapter set another 12 years in the future, as the country enter World War II. After all, what could be more British than that?
Definitely recommended for any fan of the show.
Downton ended its televised run nearly perfectly, serving delightful departing resolutions to all the members of the Crawley household - both upstairs, and downstairs.
So when news broke of a film expansion that would further franchise Downton, loud came the cries of, "Is this movie necessary?"
Well, perhaps not "necessary," but a return to the comforting environments and challenges of Downton is welcome indeed. It's a genuine pleasure to spend time with these characters again, and it's a delight to see that making a feature film in no way tarnishes the gleam of the series, or the characters as we left them.
Set in 1927, the film begins with the arrival of news that King George V and Queen Mary (Grandparents to Queen Elizabeth II) will be visiting Downton during a royal tour of the English countryside (inspired by a similar visit made by the royals in 1912 to Wentworth Woodhouse). This of course sends everyone into a dither, as both the Crawley family and their servants, become intent on making sure they're seen at their absolute best.
Simply put, if you're a fan of the series (as I am), I can't imagine you not absolutely loving this film.
Everything people are fond of - and take comfort from - is there. The beloved characters, the splendid period detail, the machinations of plot, the manners and emotions - it's all right where it should be, and Downton achieves exactly what it's meant to - feeling like a larger, lavish, but absolutely fitting bookend to the TV series. It's by no means squeezing too much juice from the lemon. Series creator and screenwriter Julian Fellowes knows his characters well, and the cast slips back into their roles with engaging grace. Series veteran Michael Engler directs with a sure and lively hand, though there's a bit of over-reliance on sweeping drone shots of the Downton estate - kidding, who isn't? Engler does a marvelous job of controlling the tone, and letting the actors find genuine immediacy in their circumstances.
As always, the cast is first-rate. Tom Branson (Allen Leach) gets the lion's share of the Crawley family plot, and does a great job, comfortably wielding movie star charisma. Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nichol), and Daisy (Sophie McShera), along with poor old Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle), enjoy rolling up their sleeves and mixing it up with the royal household staff, who mean to enforce their territorial prerogatives over the Downton maids and valets.
No surprise, however, that it's Tom Barrow (Robert James-Collier) who carries much of the emotional weight, with an interesting look at the beginnings of suppressed gay relationships determined to dream of a life beyond covert meetings in the shadows.
It's a hoot to see series favorite the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) lock antlers with a royal relative played by Imelda Staunton, making for a Professor McGonagall/Dolores Umbridge Harry Potter reunion! Amusingly, Staunton is also married to Jim Carter, who plays Carson!
These days, the phrase "fan service" has become something of a four-letter word. But for fans who've loved and struggled along with these characters since the series' debut in 2010, that a film has lovingly been made with every effort to actually please fans shouldn't be something that's scowled at. It should be cause for celebration.
At one point, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) finds herself wondering if she's simply had enough of Downton, and wonders if she should just up and sell the place, when she's reminded that "Downton Abbey is the heart of this community," and that perhaps they should battle on.
Perhaps the same could be said for future cinematic outings. If they can approach each chapter with this much care and fondness, occasional visitations would be welcome indeed. I'd love to see a Downton chapter set another 12 years in the future, as the country enter World War II. After all, what could be more British than that?
Definitely recommended for any fan of the show.
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