Big-screen Downton quite the show Aretha doco a true joy
Gthe Backstairs’’ dismays the staff even more. They are to be relieved of their duties in preference to the royal household’s key players.
Tensions are also high within the family’s inner-circle. Among the Queen’s staff is Lady Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton), a cousin of Lord Grantham. She and the Dowager Countess (Dame
TV shows of the past 20 years, including Downton itself) does a terrific job of ramping up the opulence, and also gives all of the characters their moment in the spotlight. Gliding cameras allow viewers into every nook and cranny of the vast abbey, and the sumptuous costuming and set design truly sparkle.
Fellows has also delivered a near pitch-perfect script (save for a somewhat breathless end-tying denouement). There’s plenty of pomp and no little circumstance, as well as drama in the form of inclement weather, a boiler crisis, republican ructions and missing mementoes.
Among a uniformly impressive cast, newcomers Staunton and Tuppence Middleton (The Imitation Game) are standouts. Allen Leech’s Tom plays a key role and Smith once again delivers the comedic highlights. Her battle with fellow Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix alumni Staunton is compelling, and the Dowager’s expected machiavellian moves and acerbic asides are present and correct. Don’t be surprised if Smith is nominated for a Golden Globe for best supporting actress.
While the setup is clearly designed to accommodate a sequel, Downton fans and lovers of British period dramas in general will be delighted to know, as Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) puts it, ‘‘Downton can still put on quite a show when required to’’.