Downton Abbey movie review

MOVIE TITLE: DOWNTON ABBEY

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 90 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A for fans/B+ for non-fans

IN A NUTSHELL:

Only one thing could inspire a Downton Abbey feature film: a visit from the King and Queen of England. Fans will love this Big Screen debut. Anyone not familiar with the popular TV show will be mildly entertained.

If you’ve never seen the TV show, it’s time to start binge-watching!

Downton Abbey: The Complete Collection

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Unless you have kids who love Jane Austin-style literature and movies, they’ll probably be bored.
No profanity
Gay men dance together and kiss
Bullying
Talk of death
Mean pranks

THEMES:

Power, authority, control
Teamwork
Integrity, honesty
Keeping in mind what’s most important in life.
Duty
Marriage/divorce

THINGS I LIKED:

Fans will not be disappointed. You’ll leave the theater with a satisfied smile on your face, wishing for more.
Maggie Smith is such a national treasure. You can always count on her to provide amusing quips.
The casting is really great. We get to see all of our favorite regulars and a few delightful new faces: Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phylis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Penelope Wilton, Matthew Goode, and Imelda Staunton. The actor who plays King George V, Simon Jones) actually looks like him! The actress who plays his wife, Geraldine James, also looks like pictures of the real royalty, Queen Mary.
Did you know that Imelda Staunton (Lady Bagshaw) and Jim Carter (Mr. Carson) are married in real life?
The gowns and crowns are as delicious as ever.
King George IV actually visited a manor like Downton Abbey in real life. It was Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire and its ballroom was used in the movie.
It’s really fun to see new shenanigans that the Downton staff gets involved in.
Every character gets a spotlighted moment, just like you wanted.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

If you haven’t seen the hugely popular TV show, you won’t quite understand the insight jokes or character back stories. Still, you’ll get a kick out of it all. It’ll be your crash course into Downtown Abbey.
FUNNY LINES:

“Machiavelli is frequently underrated. He had many qualities.” – Granny/Violet Crawley/Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith)
“Will you have enough clichés to get you through the visit?” – Granny
“And you’re the expert in the matter?” – Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton)

“I am an expert in every matter.” – Granny