DOWNTON ABBEY: A Film Solely For The Fans

Reviewing a film like Downton Abbey is borderline impossible: either you’ve seen the TV show and the question is whether the film manages to keep the feel and other lovable treats of the show alive or you’ve never seen it and the question is whether the film is coherent enough for a regular, one-off watch.

It’s hard to evaluate whether Downton Abbey succeeds in either. Its plot isn’t complicated, but many things feel like an inside joke to a viewer unschooled in the Downton way of life. But even if you’re a fan, it’s hard to believe a film like this would be satisfying, or indeed, worth spending extra money on.

You’re Cordially Invited Back To Downton Abbey

The beloved ITV series finished in 2015, but fans have been lobbying for a film ever since. Downton Abbey was, and still is wildly popular, because it seems to be a series with everything; great cast, great costumes and great drama. Who wouldn’t love that? It’s a series that almost synonymous with British TV, proper and elegant, perhaps a little dry but always intriguing and interesting.

The film begins in 1927. Life is as usual in Downton when Mr. Crawley receives word that the King and Queen of England are coming to stay at Downton for one night during their your of the country. Both the servants and the inhabitants of the giant house are ecstatic, what an honour it will be to host royalty. Things start going wrong from the get-go when the staff are made to understand they are not needed, their valiant efforts to make the house spotless, food tasty and service impeccable simply aren’t up to the high standards of the royal butlers, footmen and maids.

There is a lot happening in Downton Abbey, but not enough to justify its mad two-hour runtime. It’s a butt-numbing film that never quite manages to push you to the edge of your seat with scheming servants and drama. Instead, it’s muddled and convoluted plot sprawls in too many directions without dedicating proper time to any of the subplot. Especially since some of them seem quite meaty and interesting, but nothing really comes off these.

Bonneville and Smith Shine Bright

Downton Abbey plays it safe and the film plays exactly like another episode of the series. TV and film, while similar, aren’t the same medium and different rules apply on the big screen than on the smaller one. While the hard-core fans might be excited about another, super-long episode of their favourite TV show, it’s hard to understand why this series needed the film treatment when it has nothing new to say. This could have easily played at Christmas or even on a Sunday on ITV. For free.

After all this criticism, it’s time to admit something. I have never watched an episode of Downton Abbey. I went into this film hoping that it would make me want to watch the entire series and there certainly were moments that made me think maybe I’m missing out on something.

Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith are both great, as expected and the heart of the film. Especially Smith gets to have buckets of fun with her role as Violet; she nails every single line delivery and gets the biggest laughs. She portrays her character with ease and elegance, leaving all the other cast in her shadow. Unfortunately there simply isn’t nearly enough of her or Bonneville, what a shame. It’s characters like these, played with ease and confidence by seasoned actors that make me want to watch the series but the plot itself puts me off it; it simply isn’t enough.

The costume and production design are also worth the price of admission if this interests you. It’s luscious and extravagant, but time-appropriate. I would imagine a book about this might sell quite well! The film is full of fun little cameos, which will mean the world to the fans. Actors like Mark Addy and Matthew Goode get their moment to shine for 5 minutes before the plot must move on from them.

Downton Abbey: The Party of A Lifetime or A Dead End?

Overall, Downton Abbey’s worth as a film depends on your feelings towards the original show. It’s clearly made only for the fans and as such it’s most likely one of the finest cinema experiences of 2019, but it fails offer anything for anyone else.

The film takes a simple premise and executes it well enough, providing one last hurrah for those dazzled by the beloved show. However, it’s hard to imagine another season or a Christmas special wouldn’t have been a better option for the filmmakers.

Are you a fan of Dowton Abbey? Did the movie satisfy your royal cravings? Let us know!

Downton Abbey is now in cinemas around the world.