Downton Abbey: A New Era

After all this time, I didn’t expect Julian Fellowes to mess with his formula and start having radical plot twists and unexpected tragedies and mayhem. It is a comfortable family viewing franchise. If anything, except for the same-sex relationship element, it is less adventurous than it used to be. But that is all fine with me. It is like the new All Creatures Great and Small series: I know what to expect, but with an ensemble characters I know and like I don’t care. There were a few incidents that weren’t quite believable, such as a novice writer suddenly becoming a successful playwright, but it suited the plot and helped fill out the feel-good developments for nearly all the characters. There were no thrills chills or spills, but enough gentle humor and plot development to keep me engaged and watching with interest to the end.

The elegant, grand cinematography seduces your soul and attention throughout the film. The august natural environs and splendid humin environs complement one another. The modest yet haute fashion is desirable. The sailing, soothing, splaying theme song --- which announces, "Quelque choses de magnifique arrive" --- returns to us and I am pleased. What a splendid cinematic jaunt to the British aristocracy of the early 19th century! The soundtrack is an accurate reflection of the uplifting and joyful tone of this film. Love has been gained; births and growths have occurred; understanding has been reached; and those who have sought to settle, have. Now, enters the hectic and intriguing world of early 19th century film. Now, enters a Crawley secret of the past. Now, enters a never anticipated good-bye yet surprise for the future. Wonderfully acted, the direction could have been better; it was too choppy. I would have hired the team of Merchant Ivory, known to deliver smooth, quietly uplifting, and nostalgic film direction. Also, I would have allowed the film to be two hours, instead one-hour and a half. I would have created a more femel-inclusive film with a femel director (or, at least, a femel director for the film within in the femel); femel composers; and an all-femel big band. But, few have the moxie to go all the way with the nice stuff in Life, like Count Viktoria!