The Duchess
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Movie Reviews of The Duchess
Movie Review: The Duchess
Summary: 5 Stars
Georgiana Spencer became Duchess of Devonshire on her marriage to the Duke in 1774, at the height of the Georgian period, a period of fashion, decadence, and political change. Spirited and adored by the public at large she quickly found her marriage to be a disappointment, defined by her duty to produce a male heir and the Duke's philandering and callous indifference to her. She befriends Lady Bess but finds she is once again betrayed by her husband who wields his power with the three eventually living uncomfortably together. Against this background, and with the pressures of an unfaithful husband,strict social pressures and constant public scrutiny, Georgiana falls passionately in love with Charles Grey, a rising young Whig politician. However, despite his ongoing liaison with Lady Bess, the Duke refuses to allow her to continue the affair and threatens to take her children from her. This movie is a moving portrait of a very tragic figure, brought to life by a best performance from Keira Knightely. This movie exploration of unfortunate innocence and the loss of freedom is at times poignant and adds to what is an extremely satisfying experience. "The Duchess" is spellbinding.Movie Review: Wow how history has changed where women are concerned
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a sucker for any movie or play that is historical, and this definetly fits the era in which women had few rights. Sometimes we need to look back on history to see how we have progressed from those times. Women have come a long way for their independence and the right to live their lives their way. I would suggest parents to let their children know how lucky they are to be able to choose the man you would like to marry, not what was good for the family. Marriages were arranged and most marriages were only considered biblical room mates. Men have always had their mistress' to turn to when his wife in unavailable (pregnant) and if they have been kicked out of their wives bed and considered to be in the dog house. The movie really portrayed how little control women had over their future.Now about the movie.. it is true history about this duchess and her life. I give thanks that someone out there put a real historical piece together like the duchess. I would recommend that everyone should see this film, and know just how blessed we are today to be able to make our own choices in life whether good or bad.Movie Review: Lest We Forget ...
Summary: 5 Stars
Charles James Fox - remember him at the dinner table with Devonshire? The tremendous indifference that Devonshire displayed to him, politics and his wife is a terrific reminder of how powerful the elites were and how much damage they could do to individual lives simply because they didn't have to care. Power grows careless and selfish. This movie was not just about the sufferings of one duped young lady, it is about the indifference that had to be fought and still must be guarded against. A very timely film, I do believe. How many of you are involved in politics? Not many I do expect. Yes, it got a little tedious, but that is how Devonshire made the lives around him, yes? And I thought Keira Knightley did a tremendous job of acting, the scene where her hair catches on fire was very believable and affecting. Ralph Fiennes has always been a favorite, I especially love him in "Bernard and Doris" (2006). Quirky deadpan seems to be a forte of his. I did miss really handsome devils, though. It would have been delightful to have gotten Clive Owen as Charles Grey.Movie Review: A Public Life At Its Most Personal
Summary: 5 Stars
Georgiana Spencer Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, was a well known society beauty in eighteenth century England. She lived lavishly and sometimes self-destructively, trapped in a marriage to a man who valued her primarily for her ability to produce heirs. She was also very active politically since her husband was one of the leaders of the Whigs, a group which called for Parliamentary supremacy, limits on the monarchy, and protection for civil liberties.
This film is an adaptation of Amanda Foreman's excellent biography of Georgiana. It does an excellent job portraying Georgiana's public and private lives, including the bizarre menage a trois which she maintained with her husband and her best friend for many years. The film was made at some of Georgiana's real homes, especially Chatsworth House, which is still the residence of the present Duke of Devonshire. It will please lovers of costume dramas, historical films, and anyone who enjoys stories of complex men and women.
Movie Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't much like Kiera Knightley in her historical roles. She's too gorgeous to be a real person and way too skinny to be a woman of the 18th century, but no matter, I loved the movie. I grudgingly admit, she is a very fine actress. The number one task of a historical movie is to make us believe we are living in those times, to allow us to feel and experience what it must have been like when, in this case, England ruled the world. The Duchess succeeded wonderfully. Ralph Fiennes was terrific--completely believable as the cold but partly human Duke of Devonshire. He embodied the emotional reserve, social sense of place and devotion to duty that we have come to think of as English. The locations were fabulous, the music lushly layered and powerfully emotional in just the right places. Nothing is as amazing as real life. Pardon me for going a bit over the top, but at the close, I felt I had seen much more than a movie, I had witnessed the drama of human existence.