Betina here. Just got back from seeing "The Duchess," and I'm thrilled to report that it's a winner in all respects. History, fashion, intrigue, romance, betrayal. . . in short, the sordid secrets of high nobility on display. Sort of like watching the present day Windsors. Which only makes sense, since Lady Diana Spencer (aka Princess Diana) was a direct descendant of the duchess in question, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.
The story opens in 1774 with the marriage of 17 year old Georgiana (called a rather modern sounding "G" by her intimates)to the duke of Devonshire, who is the second wealthiest and most influential nobleman in Britain at the time. Hubby is played with remarkable British "thickness" by Ralph Finnes. . . who at first you hate and later come to pity. . . sort of. He's not a man of much erudition or vivacity or sociability (his description). He's a high-born lout (my description). Maybe because his mother drank wine like a fish when she was preggers with him. . . since that was what Georgiana did all through her pregnancies. Anyway, he needs a prime young filly to give him an heir and the "honor" goes to bright, lovely, adventuresome Georgiana. And boy are they mismatched.
Though the duchess was remarkable for her beauty, her fashion sense, her lavish spending, her politics, her cult of celebrity, her canny use of personal endorsements, and her infamous private life. . . the story focuses mainly on the one thing she did not/could not have. . . LOVE.
Her private life consisted of a very strange and painful set of arrangements that we as modern women watch with astonishment and horror. She was considered by her husband as little more than a brood mare and her entire life was considered a failure because she hadn't produced a male heir for her husband. He was such a clod, he wouldn't even look at or talk to the two daughters she bore him. . . he pined for a precious son and heir. Eventually she had one, but only after he. . . well, let's just say he was a brute and a swine, okay?
And when she brought home a lady friend and confidant, her husband took the woman away from her and made the woman his mistress! Talk about "three people in this marriage" as Princess Diana said. . . the poor duchess had it in spades. Her husband forced her to have breakfast with him and his mistress(her former best friend) at their table each morning!!!! Some of those scenes are just heartbreaking.
Worst and most fascinating of all. . . it's based on a true story. The facts as they are presented in drama are entirely true and well documented. We can only guess at the true feelings, but there are letters and such to detail much of it.
Now the good to great stuff:
Costumes: TO DIE FOR.
Sets and Scenery: Heavenly and completely authentic.
The shots of late Georgian era Bath alone are worth the price of admission
Studly male actors: not many, but Dominic Cooper gives good "smolder" and "brood."
Acting: FIRST RATE.
Keira Knightly was wonderful and the rest of the cast was great.
If you like historical dramas and great costuming and a real immersion in an era, go see The Duchess.
If you want to know what it was like for women in the good old days. . . go see The Duchess.
If you want to see how history repeats itself, go see The Duchess. . . and think of Princess Diana's life. It's nothing short of amazing.
And when you come home from the movie, thank Heaven that you live in the 21st century!
