Would a movie about British aristocracy be boring? That is the question a filmgoer might ask about Downton Abbey. Anyone who hedges about seeing this film, should resist their initial thoughts, and go. You won’t be disappointed. Michael Engle, the director, has done a very good job, of bringing the television show to the big screen.
Maggie Smith has done an outstanding job, of bringing her role of Violet Crawley, to the big screen. Her scenes with her estranged cousin, Maud Bagshaw, (Imelda Staunton); over an inheritance, steal the movie.
Downton Abbey may be about the British upper class, but it is the servants, who are the movie’s central point. Downton Abbey will be hosting King GeorgeV (Simon Bagwell) and Queen Mary(Geraldine James), for dinner. This is good news for the family, but bad news for the the servants. They’ve been displaced by the royal staff. This causes a silent revolt among the staff. This action is objectionable to Mr. Carson, (Jim Carter), who is pulled from retirement: because Thomas Barrow, (Robert James Collier), wasn’t doing his best as a butler.Thomas Barrow reacts badly to this. He is a displaced Irishman; whose pride is hurt. He complains to Robert Crawley, (Hugh Bonneville), the head of the estate. He listens but holds to the decision. The staff’s conniving leads to the royal servants being sent to London. They also get the stuffy French chef, Monsieur Courbet, (Phillippe Spall) out of the picture. Everything works out, even when it is found out what the the staff did. This is mainly because George V, enjoyed his service and dinner.
After the king and queen dine at Downton Abbey, there is a ball. Maggie Smith’s character Violet, continues to behave badly, toward her cousin, Maud. She is incensed over Maud’s decision, to leave everything to her maid, Lucy. That is until Violet is told that Lucy is really Maud’s daughter, that she had after the death of her husband. While the upperclass is dancing inside, Thomas Barrow and Lucy enjoy a dance on the terrace. This is a very elegant and touching scene.
One of the best scenes in the film, is between Violet and Lady Mary Talbot, (Michelle Dockery). Violet tells Mary that she doesn’t have long to live. Mary tells Violet that she can’t die, because she is Downton Abbey. Violet says life at the estate, will continue without her. She tells Mary that she is Downton Abbey. Mary reluctantly accepts this reality. It is a poignant scene; anyone who’s ever lost a loved one, can feel the emotion of Mary.
Michael Engle has succeeded in making a film, that can be appreciated, without having watched the show. The exteriors of the estate are great shots. The last shot, with an exterior nighttime view of Downton Abbey; and Mr. Carson saying that it will still be a lived in by the Crowley family, in a hundred years is a perfect ending to this movie.