The upstairs and downstairs people of hit British period drama #DowntonAbbey are back – four years since the show ended – in a postcard-perfect, delightful and immensely comforting homecoming, this time on the big screen.
The year is 1927, about 18 months since the events at the end of the show, and a state visit from King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) is throwing everyone on the Crawley’s country estate up and about. Even the aristocrats are feeling the economic pinch of the times, and it is up to Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) to run the show impeccably since she inherited the responsibility from her father, Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (High Bonneville.)
As such, the sitch pits the Royal staff against the very loyal staff of Downton to serve their highnesses – to much hilarity. But the contest doesn’t end there: Violet the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith) has unfinished family business with her cousin, Lady Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton) who is the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting. Everyone who has followed the show would know that Violet doesn’t know what losing means. Juicy, juicy bits.
For those who followed the series religiously like myself, the film serves fan service to an impeccable T as only Carson (Jim Carter,) Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan,) cook Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) and Daisy (Sophie McShera) and the rest of the beloved staff can deliver. The honor to serve their highnesses is of such import that Mr. Mosely (Kevin Doyle) couldn’t literally contain himself – in a scene that deserves either applause or facepalm. Indeed there is plenty of bits and pieces for every character, as is the hallmark of creator and Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes’ amazing ability to subtly add layers to characters that are both intricate and easy to adore but never overwhelming, just like the castle itself.
There’s also some bits about Tom (Allen Leech) and his Irish side in the context of the Royal visit, as well as the most redeemed character in the show, on-again-off-again butler, Thomas (Robert James-Collier) as a gay man at the time when it was still outlawed. Mary’s younger sister Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) is on the sidelines. Least written-in are the Lord and Lady Grantham (Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) themselves, the movie is a bit more skewed towards the staff.
At two hours, the movie feels like it’s just another episode of the show. Which is a good thing, because the makers pretty much declared that the movie was an answer to the clamor from fans. But the story isn’t too convoluted as to alienate those who have not seen a minute of the show.
Yes it’s PG but I doubt children would be interested in a movie wherein people are fussing about a formal dinner.
One can also say that Downton is the flipside to Parasite – where Bong Joon-ho made the lower class raise a finger at their employers, Downton is the fantasy of benevolent symbiosis. The Crawleys would be the kind and giving but oh-so-posh neighbors we wish we had (but they’d have to have a real castle for a home first.)
For fans this is all a welcome sight, for newbies, a lush, entertaining indulgence. After all, as Lady Mary said, God must be a monarchist.
Trailer here: https://youtu.be/l-y2xUi3VPs
Images courtesy of United International Pictures.
Directed by Michael Engler
Written by Julian Fellowes
MRTCB rating: PG.
acid reflects 
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