Downton Abbey (2019)

Top comments

1. 

   Siskoid

   I liked the Downton Abbey TV series well enough, coming to it as a fan of Gosford Park and Julian Fellowes' interest in the upstairs/downstairs dynamic of those great old houses (with the downstairs always the most interesting, honestly). Television shows going to movies has always been a risky proposition. Not financially, perhaps, as they come with their own fan base, but the big question for me is: Did this need the Silver Screen treatment? And honestly, no. It felt to be, in terms or writing and direction, like a reunion special meant for television, that distributors decided to put in theaters for the cash grab. Even the premise of the King and Queen visiting Downton isn't as lavish an affair as one might think. If you liked the show, it's a good continuation, if blatantly royalist through Tom Branson, the leopard-who-changed-his-spots suddenly the hero of the piece (the theme of belonging is central to most of the subplots). The servants get a fun runaround fighting the royal servants crashing their household, and the scenes with Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton (plus, guest-star Imelda Staunton) sparkle with their usual, savage wit. I have it on good authority that it works for people who never watched the show, though it juggles so many characters, it feels like a big quilt of subplots, not all of which are going to resonate with new audiences. But as a light comedy, people tittered a lot during the screening, so it's a pleasant enough experience for what it is. But it's not exactly a FILM. 4 years 6 months ago
2. 

   Emiam

   6/10
   Not better than the TV series this feature film, but decently good, fun with performances here and verbal mistakes there in the sometimes artificial world of nobility filled with (un) sense and etiquette. 3 years 5 months ago
3. 

   xianjiro

   Seems much more like a Christmas special, but clearly someone was looking at the financial projections. From where I sit, can't imagine they'd be disappointed, but who knows with movie financiers.
   
   Was actually surprised that Fellowes was the writer: it just didn't seem as well written as the series. Too much crammed in - like every character had to have a plotline and something to do. It was a bit much.
   
   While the series is one of my all-time favorites on either screen, I feel rather meh about the movie. Sure, it's beautiful to look at in every dimension: set design, costumes, props, and cast but that doesn't carry the movie if one is the slightest bit critical.
   
   As said, fans who enjoy the world will probably feel like it's a worthy extension. It's by no means bad, it just isn't anywhere as good as the series. Okay. I've seen it and said what I thought. Next? And please, let's not have another DA. No real need. Fan fic would be a better way if people simply can't let the characters rest. 3 years 7 months ago

See all comments

Friends

Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!