The Duchess (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• paul s

  
  In The Duchess you have one of those historical biopics - you know, "based on a true story", which since it is only "based upon" gives the screen writer carte blanche to play it any way he sees fit. Even then he and the director arrived at the dock well after the… More
  In The Duchess you have one of those historical biopics - you know, "based on a true story", which since it is only "based upon" gives the screen writer carte blanche to play it any way he sees fit. Even then he and the director arrived at the dock well after the ship had sailed. Sometimes a film is not so much about what it shows you on the screen, but what it infers by innuendo and association. The Duchess is such a film, and it suffers for it. What is allegedly relevant for the film is that said Duchess is a Spencer, and as such, is an ancestor to everyone's darling, Lady Di. The film attempts to draw parallels, showing how the Duchess was an intelligent, strong willed young woman sucked into a marriage of opportunity in 1774 - to which, one infers that she is just like her descendant. The film goes to great length to further this concept, showing ad nauseum all the trappings of being forced into an arranged and loveless marriage; wherein her sole duty is to produce a son and heir for the duke. That she rails against the system makes a sort of feminist statement, and while I abhor the duke and everything he stood for (the assumption of power and moral certitude based on your birthright), and sympathize with any person forced into any contract without their consent - you didn't see this duchess, or Di refusing all the jewels and trappings of royalty. But enough with the socio/political statements, let's discuss the film itself. The cinematography is top shelf and the sets and costumes beautiful, and I suppose you can't really blame Ms. Knightly in the title role - she does the best she can given the material she has to work with. The same can be said for Ralph Fiennes, who aptly plays the stuffy, pompous Duke, who while being an expert manipulator and politician, has some serious issues when it comes to expressing actual emotion. Emotion is what appears to be lacking throughout the film - moments that are meant to be heartbreaking aren't fully grounded by any back-story so they lose much of their potential potency. There are parallels to the film Possession, involving the sacrifices made for children. In Possession the scenes are emotionally powerful, in The Duchess, all the emotion is sucked away, as what should have been an emotional reunion becomes an empty thirty seconds of film. There was potential here that, with a bit more care, focus and development, could have made a wonderful film. Alas, all the attempts to portray the duchess as special and beloved by the people become nothing more than gratuitous scenes of empty pageantry where the duchess spoke, but didn't say anything truly impressive, a fault of the script writer yet again. There are some bedroom scenes thrown in for good measure (it seems a pre-requisite for all period piece dramas), though they are flat and emotionless, even a pseudo rape somehow simply seems matter of fact; as if reading a passage in a pot-boiler novel "ah yes, he took her hard, and without her consent" - not much emotional energy there. Throughout it seemed as if the film was at war with itself - wanting to show the Spencer parallel with a modern carnal sensibility, yet caught in the malaise of gentrified manners while the gossip mongers hinted of infidelities and scandal. It played like a well costumed soap opera until the film finally ran out of things to say and ended up using my least favorite film device: the written narrative conclusion - something that also seems a pre-requisite of quasi historical dramas. Kind of a "they lived happily (or not) ever after" effect. To me, if there was something important you wanted to impart to your audience, you find a way to show it and not resort to such a sloppy stunt. In this case the narrative informed us that shortly before her death the duchess gave her consent for her friend to marry her husband and become the new duchess. But wait a minute!!! The duchess was some 20 years younger than her husband - WTF?? What happened? How did she die before he did? I would have thought that this would have made for a far more interesting tale than the pointless semi political scenes that the film included in a misguided attempt to show some historical perspective.

• Wildaly M

  
  Interesting story and good performances.

• Robert C

  
  A solid period piece. Good acting on the part of the main characters. With Rampling and Fiennes standing out the most for me. Beautiful sets and costumes as you might imagine. The story is sad, but a very interesting slice of history and a nice introduction (for most of us) to a… More
  A solid period piece. Good acting on the part of the main characters. With Rampling and Fiennes standing out the most for me. Beautiful sets and costumes as you might imagine. The story is sad, but a very interesting slice of history and a nice introduction (for most of us) to a woman who was way ahead of her time in many aspects of her thinking (not to mention style).

• Film C

  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, its a great movie about love and betrayal. Kiera Knightly performs yet another astonishing period drama thats interesting and brilliantly and beautifully made. Really worth the watch.

• familiar s

  
  Being interested in movies inspired by actual events, I decided to check it out. While it lacked the grip to keep me hooked, it wasn't absolutely rubbish.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Simon McBurney, Hayley Atwell, Aidan McArdle, Richard McCabe, Angus McEwan, Mercy Fiennes Tiffin, John Shrapnel, Alistair Petrie, Patrick Godfrey, Michael Medwin, Justin Edwards, Calvin Dean, Hannah Stokely… More
  Cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Simon McBurney, Hayley Atwell, Aidan McArdle, Richard McCabe, Angus McEwan, Mercy Fiennes Tiffin, John Shrapnel, Alistair Petrie, Patrick Godfrey, Michael Medwin, Justin Edwards, Calvin Dean, Hannah Stokely Director: Saul Dibb Summary: Keira Knightley stars as Georgiana Spencer, a young duchess who indulges in extravagant vices and begins a scandalous affair with politician Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper) to balance her unhappy marriage to the duke of Devonshire . My Thoughts: "I have now seen Keira Knightley in a few period pieces, and this has to be my favorite along with 'Pride and Prejudice'. She gives such an amazing performance as Georgiana. Maybe her best acting that I have seen. Ralph Fiennes also puts in a great performance as the easy to hate husband, Duke of Devonshire. But this was Keira's film. She gave such an emotional performance that I completely felt it all with her. Georgiana must have been an extremely strong woman to endure her life's misfortunes. Mainly the cruelty of her husband. *SPOILER* When she has to hand over the child she bared with Earl Grey, I totally lost it and cried with her. It was such a sad and heartbreaking moment. *END OF SPOILER* Hayley Atwell, was also very good in the film as Lady Bess Foster. She really pulls you in and you like her. Then you hate her, just to kinda go back to liking her just a bit. Her character had a bit of a sad story as well. I really liked Dominic Cooper as Earl Grey. The story is sad, depressing, and emotional. Definitely a film I wouldn't mind seeing again."

• Jennifer D

  
  Holy costumes! And Holy Evil Ralph Fiennes! Can this guy play a nice guy, like ever? Whatever. He does evil so well. Even though I don't have a particular liking to children, I found this pretty cruel. (Funny the only other film I've thought that about was another Ralph… More
  Holy costumes! And Holy Evil Ralph Fiennes! Can this guy play a nice guy, like ever? Whatever. He does evil so well. Even though I don't have a particular liking to children, I found this pretty cruel. (Funny the only other film I've thought that about was another Ralph Fiennes film...) Still, I think the acting was fine and the costumes were phenomenal. And as for Keira Knightley, I could watch that woman run around in pretty, period dresses all day and not have a problem with it.

• Candy R

  
  Excellent movie based on true events of the Duchess of Devonshire. She is wed into a loveless marriage to provide a male heir. She is intelligent and beautiful and attracts much attention. But for the sake of her children, gives up her true love. Amazing costumes and settings. This is… More
  Excellent movie based on true events of the Duchess of Devonshire. She is wed into a loveless marriage to provide a male heir. She is intelligent and beautiful and attracts much attention. But for the sake of her children, gives up her true love. Amazing costumes and settings. This is Keira's best performance. Some of the movie was shot in Chatsworth, which is where the real Duchess lived. I've visited it and they have 'The Duchess' display, along with a display for 'Pride and Prejudice' where some scenes were also filmed.

• Lewis C

  
  It's easy to see why Keira Knightley is drawn to so many movies with a historical slant; she's good at them. If she was sent back in time to historical England, she'd probably fit right in. She certainly has the necessary experience, and she looks good in the dresses… More
  It's easy to see why Keira Knightley is drawn to so many movies with a historical slant; she's good at them. If she was sent back in time to historical England, she'd probably fit right in. She certainly has the necessary experience, and she looks good in the dresses and wigs. The main problem with The Ducjess isn't Keira, the other actors, or the grand palaces and beautiful English locales that serve as the setting. It's the title character herself, who's written to be a bit too plucky and familiar. Yes, I get that she's a woman who's smarter than many of the powerful men that surround her, and yes, I sympathize with her when her idealism and naïveté meet the unyeilding wall of the real world. But these things have been done to death, and the story is incredibly predictable as a result. I'm waiting for one of these movies to spin the genre on its head...there has to be a way to keep them somewhat historically accurate, while discarding the constantly re-used plot devices. You know what you're getting here, and you probably know whether you'll like it or not. Just don't expect anything more than a slightly above-average example of the genre.

• Kylie B

  
  Terribly beautiful in terms of period detail, but too upsetting for me to love, though the performances are good.

• Bannan i

  
  There is something I just ADORE about historical pieces, not to mention the lavish costumes and brilliant english countryside that plays a role as well. The story itself is completely intriguing, and quite sad. This also reminds me why Ralph Fiennes is such an awesome actor...to be… More
  There is something I just ADORE about historical pieces, not to mention the lavish costumes and brilliant english countryside that plays a role as well. The story itself is completely intriguing, and quite sad. This also reminds me why Ralph Fiennes is such an awesome actor...to be able to portray such a hateful character...who doesn't even speak much at all in this film. Bravo! [review TBC]

• Bruce B

  
  My Star rating of this, most likly will not be fair, why, because I am a guy. This is more of a chick flix, though most of the time things coming out of England and the BBC do take my interest. Keira Knightley did a good job, not sure she was best actress for the job. But she is… More
  My Star rating of this, most likly will not be fair, why, because I am a guy. This is more of a chick flix, though most of the time things coming out of England and the BBC do take my interest. Keira Knightley did a good job, not sure she was best actress for the job. But she is beautiful and could be anyones dutcess. Keen to see that Jerry Springer Stuff was going on back in Jolly Old England. But still only 3 stars, like I said Unfair, a Guy Rating a Chick Flix

• Nani V

  
  I thought Keira Knightley was wonderful in the film. The outfits were beautiful as well. It's a pretty sad story about Georgiana who becomes the duchess of Devonshire and has to put up with a lot of crap from her husband and his ways. Poor women, back in those days. Througout the… More
  I thought Keira Knightley was wonderful in the film. The outfits were beautiful as well. It's a pretty sad story about Georgiana who becomes the duchess of Devonshire and has to put up with a lot of crap from her husband and his ways. Poor women, back in those days. Througout the film, she tries to leave him, but somehow ends up back with him.

• Summer W

  
  An attractive costume drama with great performances overall.

• Drew S

  
  Let's do a little math here. Films in Keira Knightley's filmography that aren't shorts, TV episodes or bit parts: 21 Amount of these films which are period pieces (the Pirates movies count): 14 14 divided by 21: 0.66 That's 66% of Keira Knightley's working… More
  Let's do a little math here. Films in Keira Knightley's filmography that aren't shorts, TV episodes or bit parts: 21 Amount of these films which are period pieces (the Pirates movies count): 14 14 divided by 21: 0.66 That's 66% of Keira Knightley's working career that she has spent wearing frilly dresses and speaking in clipped, unintelligible motormouth dialogue. Two thirds of her films! Jesus Christ, do another rom-com or an adventure flick or be addicted to drugs or something. I think she even beats out Scarlett Johansson in this category. I am sick of this woman. Edit 2/17: Having actually seen the movie, what I said above still holds true. And though it's obvious that Knightley clings to period drama because she's very good at it, (imagine Angelina Jolie attempting a bodice-ripper) the material here is substandard and didn't really merit her attention. The Duchess is Marie Antoinette's leftovers. This movie does nothing that Sofia Coppola's underrated character study did fifty times more effectively and vividly. Nothing here resonates or enlightens; the whole affair feels like a melodramatic petty misery show between a bunch of boring people. Nothing new here. Furthermore, who in their right mind would cheat on Ralph Hot-Ass Fiennes with Dominic Cooper? Homeboy looks like one of those fish whose eyes are on the opposite sides of their bodies.

• Dean M

  
  By now, actress Keira Knightley has period pieces and bodice-rippers down to a fine art. But in this classic movie, the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire and her loveless marriage, she delivers a performance that is nothing short of fabulous. Indeed, the entire film, by English… More
  By now, actress Keira Knightley has period pieces and bodice-rippers down to a fine art. But in this classic movie, the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire and her loveless marriage, she delivers a performance that is nothing short of fabulous. Indeed, the entire film, by English director Saul Dibbs, is the 'real deal'. It's a salacious and dramatic tale from the outset but with stunning cinematography, exquisite performances and a beautifully written script, it's entertaining to the very end.

• danny d

  
  i really enjoyed this film, and i wasnt expecting to. the story had problems: first, the story was more about a mothers love for her children than it was a love story, but we had very little interaction between the duchess and her actual kids. second, the film seemed like it… More
  i really enjoyed this film, and i wasnt expecting to. the story had problems: first, the story was more about a mothers love for her children than it was a love story, but we had very little interaction between the duchess and her actual kids. second, the film seemed like it struggled with its identity and was unsure of its own plot. third, the film was billed as being about the "duchess of fashion" but this story line was absent from the film almost entirely. but despite these glaring problems, the story that we did get was engaging and it painted a haunting and accurate portrayal of the disgusting nature of 18th century british culture. the people in the film are all disfunctional but are portrayed as by-products of their culture. the decisions by the duchess to put her children first were spot on and made the character more sympathetic.

• Alice S

  
  Well-designed costume drama. Somewhat of a lackluster ending. Keira is actually pretty good in this. She seems to have better command of her vocal range, gaze, and oftentimes too-modern smile.

• Mark H

  
  Winning adaptation of Amanda Foreman's best-selling biography of the English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, a beautiful and clever woman who becomes a celebrity of British high society when she marries the Duke of Devonshire. Keira Knightly is stunning. She shines in this tale… More
  Winning adaptation of Amanda Foreman's best-selling biography of the English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, a beautiful and clever woman who becomes a celebrity of British high society when she marries the Duke of Devonshire. Keira Knightly is stunning. She shines in this tale of a woman who learns that the rights of 18th century men and women are not the same. Sumptuous set design highlights this lavish costume drama that features love triangles, infidelity and scandal.

• Josh L

  
  A perfectly cast period drama. Keira Knightley is fantastic.

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