Last night I watched The Duchess, courtesy of Netflix, starring Keira Knightly. This was one of the movies I really wanted to see in the theater and I didn't get to. Here in Montana, there are not a lot of movie theaters, so movies do not stay very long in order to make room for the next round of movies being released. It is very annoying, but that is the way it is.
Anyway, back to the movie......
In true Period Drama style, there is not a lot of action. The entire story is about relationships - which is boring to a lot of people, but this is one of my very favorite sorts of movies. Keira Knightley stars as Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire. Basically, the movie chronicles Georgiana's very unhappy marriage to the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes).
Trapped in a loveless marriage and unable to produce a male heir, the Dutchess uses her charms and wit to become the center of society and uses that platform to advance her somewhat radical political views. In the process, she becomes involved with fellow radical thinker Charles Grey and the two eventually have an affair.
I won't go into further detail as I don't want to spoil the plot lines for those of you who have not seen this movie. One thing I appreciated was that while this movie deals with some very adult themes, the producers and writers kept it to a PG-13 rating - so a lot of very graphic stuff is absent.
Overall, I liked this movie and was glad that I watched it. My only question is this: Is Keira Knightley the only British actress who will wear a corset? For goodness sake! Every period drama of late seems to have her in it. It's not that I don't like her or think that she is not talented, but - I would like to see some other faces on the screen in period dramas. Perhaps I am just watching the wrong ones?
Overall rating: 7.5 out of 10 stars...... Costumes and backdrops are stunning and the story is a good one. Certainly worth you time to watch!
Anyway, back to the movie......
In true Period Drama style, there is not a lot of action. The entire story is about relationships - which is boring to a lot of people, but this is one of my very favorite sorts of movies. Keira Knightley stars as Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire. Basically, the movie chronicles Georgiana's very unhappy marriage to the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes).
Trapped in a loveless marriage and unable to produce a male heir, the Dutchess uses her charms and wit to become the center of society and uses that platform to advance her somewhat radical political views. In the process, she becomes involved with fellow radical thinker Charles Grey and the two eventually have an affair.
I won't go into further detail as I don't want to spoil the plot lines for those of you who have not seen this movie. One thing I appreciated was that while this movie deals with some very adult themes, the producers and writers kept it to a PG-13 rating - so a lot of very graphic stuff is absent.
Overall, I liked this movie and was glad that I watched it. My only question is this: Is Keira Knightley the only British actress who will wear a corset? For goodness sake! Every period drama of late seems to have her in it. It's not that I don't like her or think that she is not talented, but - I would like to see some other faces on the screen in period dramas. Perhaps I am just watching the wrong ones?
Overall rating: 7.5 out of 10 stars...... Costumes and backdrops are stunning and the story is a good one. Certainly worth you time to watch!
4 comments:
I liked this movie. Yes, it was a bit sad - not the typical happy ending that ya know I like! Emily, my daughter, was a bit bent out of shape. But then she thinks Dominic Cooper is hot, and that is all that mattered as far as she was concerned! You crack me up about Keira being the only British actress these days for period pieces. Does seem her forte! I would agree with your rating - 7 or so stars out of 10.
At least Emily has her priorities straight! LOL
Thanks for the critique! I've been wanting to see it because, like you, I love this type of movie. But I didn't know if it would be worth it.
THANKS!
Yes, there seems to be a Keira over kill at the moment...
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