Review: The Duchess (2008)

Title: The Duchess (2008)
Starring: Keira Nightly, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Ramping, Dominic Cooper,
Directed by: Saul Dibb
Written by: Jeffrey Hatcher (screenplay) and Anders Thomas Jensen (screenplay) ...
Story: Amanda Foreman (Georgiana The Duchess of Devonshire)
Music: Rachel Portman
Director of photography: Gyula Pados

Score: 7 out of 10

I wanted to watch this movie since it was being talked about during the awards season. It won the Best Achievement in Costume Design for Michael O'Connor.

This is a movie about Georgiana who is the daughter of royal family. She is a young and peppy girl. She is playful and we see her having clean fun with other young women and some young men. Such a girl gets sucked into a reluctant wedding. She gets engaged to Duke of Devonshire who is a a middle aged man but more importantly a man with a constipated sense of self and not a bit fun. When G's mom tells her "I heard a rumor that I will be addressing you as Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire" her response is "But does he love me". This statement basically tells that G would at least be happy with a loving husband. But as the story progresses we get to see more and more of the Duke's serious nature. Over the years they become parents to 2 daughters. G is such a noble soul that she takes in an orphan daughter fathered by the Duke with a maid.

But the Duke gets more and more upset that they are not having a Son. This turns into anger against G and eventually another woman steps in with her 3 sons and starts living with the Duke. I will not tell more of the plot.

The movie itself is very well conceived. Acting by Keira Nightly and Ralph Fiennes is a treat to watch. I enjoyed Ralph Fiennes acting for his very studied performance in portraying the complicated character of the Duke of Devonshire. The Duke seems to have a mix of traits like a sense of self which is undeserving except for the fact that he was born into royalty. He also hides a sense of shame for not being able to Sire a son. And at certain times he even tries to be apologetic of his rude behavior. Mr. Fiennes handles all this with aplomb. Ms Nightly should be credited for a good performance. The movie is engaging and is a good display of acting and period setting. The music and photography add to enhance the effect of the movie.

The movie looks closely into the life of Duchess Georgiana who was one of the earliest female politicians who used her charms to move the people. It is interesting to see that England had a parliament and opposition leaders and elections as far back as late 1700s.

I give this movie a 7 out of 10