The splendor of the Downton Abbey series and film continues in Downton Abbey: A New Era, a thoroughly entertaining continuation of manners, mores, tradition, and family bonds. It’s a feast for fans.
The late 1920s in England sees the Crawley family continue to thrive amid adversity and change. The matriarch Violet (Maggie Smith) finds that she has inherited a French villa under mysterious circumstances. This leads one group of Crawleys to visit the villa while Downton’s staff is coping with an on location, Hollywood silent film production beset with trouble amid the advent of talkies. Facing challenges away and at home, the Downton family must endure significant events that will forever change the course of their future.
Well-paced, the film marks the end of significant story arcs and new beginnings as it balances parallel storylines while also exploring its other characters, each with a unique narrative. This heartfelt drama has a delightful sense of humor and that strong sense of time and place audiences have grown to love. There are conflicts and obstacles that are resolved through civility and conversation (with nary any violence), and the story is still engaging and satisfying. How refreshing!
Beautifully
scored, the fluid camerawork displays the visual splendors of scenery and period
recreations. Downton itself looms large and majestic like a standalone
character. The tightknit cast (featuring Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery,
Elizabeth McGovern et al) functions like a well-seasoned ensemble. Smith, with
her verbal barbs, is priceless as always.
Guided
by screenwriter Julian Fellowes (The
Gilded Age), the film (despite an obvious subplot used in Singin’ in the Rain) brings to life a
time that has fascinated filmgoers since Cavalcade.
Fans (and newbies) will appreciate revisiting these familiar faces. Well done!
***1/2
of **** stars (for Downton
aficionados)
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