The Duchess (2008)

Britons might be sorely divided in their desire to be in or out, but there is one topic on which they are forever united - their passion, or rather their obsession with their Royalty. Here's one small indicator. When we rented an apartment in Cambridge, one of the first tasks we had to undertake was to move the huge volume of our landlady's book collection to the garage. More than half of those garage full of books dealt with the Royal family!Of course, the most obsessed over member of that family is undoubtedly Princess Diana. A film, based on the life of her great-great...aunt the Duchess of Devonshire which had an uncanny similarity with Lady D's own life, is bound to generate a lot of interest. Apparently, the trailer of this 2008 movie even used a couple of Lady D shots to ensure that.However, for folks outside the orbit of that royal obsession, this is basically about the life of an aristocratic woman trapped in the social mores of her time, despite all the worldly privileges that came with her rank and status. Unfortunately, the movie could not rise above its curiosity value (even while giving us an excellent glimpse into the English aristocratic life in the eighteenth century) as the events, instead of flowing smoothly, had somewhat of a jerky feel. As if we are given a lesson in history, above all.Keira Knightly, as expected, is a natural in the role of an old-world English Duchess. But Ralph Fiennes is totally wasted in the role of the Duke of Devonshire. Watching this, I wouldn't have believed him emerging with that commanding presence of M in Spectre a few years down the line.

The film is not your average stuffy period drama rather than based on actual events of the Duchess Georgiana of Devonshire. She married the Duke and has two daughters. The Duke needs a son for an heir to the throne. When Georgiana meets Lady Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell) ,a battered ex wife and mother of three sons in Bath, she is invited to Chatsworth. Bess, the Duke, and Duchess form an unusual trio in a very complex relationship. Bess was Georgiana's best and only true friend. The film has a remarkable cast with Ralph Fiennes as the Duke. Charlotte Rampling is wonderful as the Duchess' mother. The costumes and art direction are first rate and spared no expense in bring faithful to the eighteenth century.

I have just finished seeing this film on TV. I come a lot to this site to read reviews but just a few i wrote. But sometimes you feel compelled. And although i see this film has a reasonable rating i really found it more worth that that. First of all, the director, i never heard of Saul Dibb. I see he has not much on his record when i searched him here. But my God what a well made, constantly enternaining drama. I liked almost everything about it. Especially the performance from Keira Knightley. A very powerful one that still leaves me speechless for now. Only thing that i would of liked to see a bit more where Ralp Fiennes personal dissisions he hade to make in this film..Update: I must engage you to really see this one. Have to add in my update that it just moved me deeply, made my shed a tear, but also mad ma angry at times. And isn't that what a brilliant film is all about. Again, all the compliments to Keira Knightley. I hope she gets these messages through somewere because she is so more talented then i thought when wactching Pitates of the Carabian, a real enlightment to watch. Enjoy . If you like films like the fast and the furious though i think this isn't for you.

a beautiful film. not great or remarkable. only beautiful. for costumes and correct acting. for the light to dark rooms of period. for the flavor of Anna Karenina. and for the atmosphere before the storm. a movie like a jewel from 18 century. more complex than a nice adaptation of a book, almost fascinating for the science of Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes to explore theirs roles possibilities, special for performance of Charlotte Rampling and for the air of portrait of a life. a movie like a drop of perfume. noble, seductive, charming. and a different tool for discover the past in a profound way.that is all. a beautiful film about a special universe and remarkable force of a woman to be herself .