DOWNTON ABBEY
UK, 2019, 130 minutes, Colour.
Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth Mc Govern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Alan Leech, Joanne Froggatt, Laura Carmichael, Imelda Staunton, Sophie Mc Sherra, Robert James- Collier, Phyllis Logan, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, Brendan Coyle, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Matthew Goode, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Campbell Moore, Harry Haddon- Patton, David A, Michael Fox.
Directed by Michael Engler.
An entertaining must-see for Antiquarians Anonymous, well, perhaps not quite anonymous since there are millions of fans of Downton Abbey all over the world. Having followed the ups and downs of the Crawley family over five series on television, what could be better (apart from another series, perhaps) than a full-scale feature film to be seen on the big screen?
And, is is definitely all up there larger than what we have seen previously. We view aerial sweeps of the British countryside, fast Abbey coming into sight, the beauty of the landscapes. And, of course, we go inside enormous and splendid Abbey, to all the old familiar places, both downstairs and upstairs. And, since the story centres on a visit from King George V and Queen Mary to the Abbey, we discover that there is a realm well above and beyond upstairs, the royalty realm.
Despite statistics, not everybody has seen all the episodes of the series but these audiences can rest assured that by the end of the film, there have been enough indications as to who is who and what are the back stories.
If you are a monarchist, the pomp and circumstance of British royalty will be highly relished (extremely!). If, on the other hand you share the sentiments of the assistant cook, Daisy, discovering that she must be a Republican, there might be just too much Royal circumstance, let alone pomp. But, for the period of the film, like the servants downstairs, we might momentarily enjoy it.
It is 1927. Costumes and decor, quite lavish, take us back into the era. And, with so much food being prepared in the kitchen, there is much for those who have culinary delight. There is also pageantry, a parade in the grounds of the Abbey, the King on horseback, God save the King, a ride through the streets of the town, everyone applauding. (As we begin to surmise in the early part of the film, there will be an assassination attempt on the king – and, since we know our history, we are certain that it will be thwarted.).
Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth Mc Govern are reliably there presiding at the Abbey. A lot of the responsibility – and, as Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess advises her – Mary (Michelle Dockery) will have to carry on the tradition with responsibility.
Meanwhile, everything is lively downstairs, Mrs Patmore all a-flutter with the news about the King, but still steadily preparing the meals, assisted by Daisy. With the arrival of the Royal retinue from London (all films have to have villains and, apart from the world-be assassin, the pompous retinue who want to take over all the preparations, more than fit the bill). But this does give the opportunity, along with the unreliability of the Butler, Barrow, for an older Jim Carter to bring Carson out of retirement and back into his element, housekeeper Mrs Hughes, Phyllis Logan.
And, of course, there are a whole lot of emotional subplots, Princess Mary and her prig of a husband. Prominent is Branson, Allen Leech, the Irish widower, saving the day for the king but also attracted to the maid of the Queen’s companion, Lady Bagshaw, Imelda Staunton – providing some hopes for a romantic and financial future.
Of course, the best and sharpest lines are given to Maggie Smith who relishes them and delivers them with acid point. And she is matched by Penelope Wilton, Baronness Merton (whose grimaces at the loaded she is to are an effective non-verbal comment).
Actually, Julian Fellowes’ screenplay, the first part more than supporting Brexit stances, becomes a bit more revolutionary towards the end, a surprise sequence at a 1927 gay club and police raid, and the Abbey staff able to have their own revolt against the intrusive and snobbish visitors from London, and the realisation that the world of the 1920s is in the process of radical change.
2019’s gift to Downton Abbey fans.
1. Audience expectations? The television series? Characters, situations? British tone and spirit
2. The visuals, the Abbey and the estate, the exteriors, interiors, upstairs and downstairs, visit of royalty? Costumes and decor, food? The musical score and contemporary songs?
3. The performers developing their characters over five years in the series? New characters? The family history, relationships?
4. The occasion, the rule of visit, so many people are a-flutter, the information, the reports, the status of the monarchy? The program for the visit, the elaborate preparations, the staff, the Royal staff and the takeover, the clashes? The detail, cleaning, cooking, housekeeping, waiting at table?
5. The history of the Crawley’s, their financial situation, the experience of World War one, the experience of the 1920s? The old-style, the change?
6. Robert and Cora Crawley? The Manor, their place in the household, their loving relationship, their children? Hosts to the visit? Genial? The family members, Mary and her husband and his visit to Chicago, Lady Edith and her husband? Mary and the responsibilities, especially for the future? The visit to Princess Mary and experiencing her troubles? Mary, following Branson, the assassination attempt on her participation?
7. Violet, the dowager, elderly, sharp tongued, having the best lines? Her interfering, issues of money, her visits to London and her health, the antagonism towards Lady Bagshaw, the buildup to the confrontation, the meetings, discussions? The news about Lucy as Lady Bagshaw’s daughter? Violet accepting this? Her plan, Branson marrying into the money? A speech of the heritage to Mary? Her continued verbal sparring with Baroness Merton?
8. Branson, the Irish background, in himself, his family, becoming part of the crawlies, his work, the death of his wife? Is child? The encounter with the anarchist, their drinking, meeting, Branson following him, Mary following him, the assassination attempt? Is thwarting it? The king commending him for this, and for his talk with Princess Mary? The encounters with Lucy, the meeting, discussions, the kiss, the final dancing together?
9. The king and queen, audience knowledge of their history, British Royal pomp and circumstance, the range and number of the staff, the regulations, the Queen being genial, especially on family matters? The king and his command?
10. Princess Mary, the visit, the severity of her husband, ousting the children? Her talk with Branson, her decision, talking with her parents, the final dance and solving the problems with her husband?
11. Carson, his retirement, the strong traditions for the Butler? Barrow, his being ousted? Calling on Carson, his return, being proper, the Butler and his being responsible for the back stairs? The clash over duties? The staff reluctant? The plan, its execution, his theoretical disapproval? His relationship with Mrs Hughes? Mrs Hughes on her personality, role in the house, the antagonism towards the housekeeper brought from London?
12. The staff, Mrs Patmore and her enthusiasm, raw visit, cooking? Daisy and her outspoken views? Her relationship with Andi, his proposal, her putting off the wedding? Andy, jealousy of the plumber, smashing the boiler? The confession to Daisy and her acceptance? Woolsey, the enthusiasm for the visit, his remarks, his speech in front of the Queen, nervous, everybody’s reaction?
13. Barrow, leaving, the antagonism towards Carson? The staff? The visit from London, in the pub, perpetrating the hoax? Going to the bar, the pickup, going to the club, the dancing, the police arriving, the arrest? His being released on the testimony of the Royal household? Going back to Downton Abbey, the gift from his friend? The issue of gay rights and criminal condemnations in England of the period?
14. The star from London, the Butler and his imperious attitude, his title? The dressmaker, her petty thievery, Anna and her getting her to make the dress and return the stolen goods? The eccentric French cook and his behaviour?
15. And, Mr Bates, managing the household, her role, lady in waiting, leading the rebellion, the powder in the cook’s tea? Her hold over the dressmaker, getting her to finish the dress?
16. The anarchist, at the opening, on the train, meeting Branson, sympathetic discussions, his plane, the blame on Branson, the encounter at the Royal Parade, the king in the streets on his horse, the anarchist aiming his pistol, Branson thwarting the attempt, Mary present?
17. Baroness Merton, the repartee with the violet? And her grimaces in conversation? Yet her mediation in solving the problem?
18. Lucy, Lady Bagshaw, the story, the affair, her birth, her mother telling her the truth, wanting her to have the inheritance?
19. The final ball, Downton Abbey not having to be responsible, everybody dancing – resolution of problems and happy ending?
