It’s not perfect. The forte of the British TV series ‘Downton Abbey’ is the scenery and costumes. Otherwise, its a predictable soap opera with mostly likable characters. The first half of the movie, “Hey! Slow the camera, I want to see the scenery and costumes!” Then, writer Julian Fellows’ bits and pieces of story fell, no surprise, into place in the second half, iced with dollops of wit and humor.
It’s silly, really, the whole idea that some people are to be bowed and curtsied to, and that a great big castle of a house will ‘last forever,’ among numerous other fantasies. But it has a relic-like golden charm, undergirded by my need for beauty. A candlelit ball with dancing to a live orchestra, an afternoon parade with soldiers emblazoned in red jackets riding horseback on a clear green field festively edged with Union Jack bunting. That glowing golden ball dress that got sewn together in the nick of time…
One thing out of wack: Lord and Lady Grantham had hardly any scenes, and Butler Tom had too many.
If you loved Downton Abbey, you’ll love this. I did.
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