Downton Abbey: A New Era -2022 -PG13
Ok, I’m an Anglophile, I admit it. At 3:00 in the morning of April 29th, 2011, I hosted a royal wedding watch party to celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Friends expectantly gathered in splendid hats—meaning lots of feathers of course, our best American fashion effort. My peacock plume matched my teal pajamas perfectly, bought new from Ross for this regal occasion. Earl Grey tea, scones, clotted cream, lemon curd and orange marmalade were daintily served in my 1973 wedding china. Finally, a use for those fancy gold-trimmed cups and plates! No surprise when Downton Abbey debuted also in 2011 on PBS Masterpiece Theater, it was totally, absolutely, utterly must-watch tv in my home. I adored every single member of the Crawley family and their household staff (well, except nasty Miss O’Brien).
Cue the Downton Abbey theme song “a character in its own right” and I’m scanning the Yorkshire countryside for the Dowager of Grantham to emerge, an ever sarcastic comment on her lips, petite cane in hand. Which brings me to one complaint about the film, when was it ever acceptable for the inimitable Violet Crawley (Dame Maggie Smith) to be called “Old Lady Grantham”? That was jarring and wrong! The story itself included so many red herrings that early on I deliberately switched from hunt to enjoyment mode and stopped chasing after the who’s who of sick and dying (Cora & Violet Crawley) and the South of France Crawley field trip “who’s your daddy” plot line (Robert Crawley). Back at the Downton estate, a silent movie is being filmed, “The Gambler,” keeping Lady Mary busy (and tempted), especially when the film is canceled midstream: suddenly silents are out, talkies are in. No! Downton’s leaky roof needs the revenue! Never fear, Mary and her elegant voiceovers save the day. Even the 1920 film industry gets a new lease on life! A new cinematic era!
Just like the film title declares, the various characters move into neat and tidy new beginnings, most definitely offering a satisfying “happily ever after” ladies’ curtsy and gentlemen’s bow for each as the Downton Abbey saga (may) finally come to an end. Let’s all lift our pinkies to creator Julian Fellowes in hopes of a third Downton Abbey adventure, a dignified one of course.
