Downton Abbey: A New Era

 

Downton Abbey: A New Era
Starring Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton
Directed by Simon Curtis

Normally when a television show makes a big-budget cinematic film, it's done in order to draw viewers to the show itself and also as a soulless cash-grab to draw in people who remember the series fondly, and see how the story progresses. "Downton Abbey" is a rare exception, as the series ended back in 2015 after six amazing seasons and mutiple Emmys and other accolades, so everyone thought that the adventures of those who lived in the lavish Downton Abbey would end then - but in 2019 they made a feature-length film that served more like an epilogue to the story, and found a way to re-ignite the magic that the series held over people (disclaimer: I've never seen an episode of the show). Wondering if lightning could strike twice, another "Downton Abbey" film came out in 2022 - "A New Era" - and instead of serving as an epilogue-epilogue, it seemed like a breath of fresh air, a re-invigoration of the franchise done not merely for profit, but for everyone involved in front of, behind, and watching the screen.

Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith) reveals some news to her family: she's inherited a wealthy palatial villa in the South of France from a former fling that she hasn't seen in over fifty years, and her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville), his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), their butler Carson (Jim Carter) and a few other family members head to the villa to take care of matters, as well as try to find out why some man would will the villa to Violet despite him being married to someone else at the time of his death, and their investigation could rock Robert's world.

Meanwhile, at Downton, a film crew wants to use the castle as a setting for their silent picture, and offers a large sum of money that Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) can't pass up due to some maintenance needs in the castle. While other family members are against the arrival of the crew, others (including the help) are elated to see how movie magic happens. When director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), charming leading man Guy (Dominic West) and stuck-up actress Myrna (Laura Haddock) arrive, they soon discover that the era of silent pictures is ending, and a new world of movies with sound is taking over - leading to drastic changes in the story and thrusting Lady Mary deeper into the intrigue while her husband is away.

As I said earlier, I never saw an episode of "Downton Abbey," but it didn't deter me from seeing the first film, or this one as a matter of fact. While I had no clue who the characters were or their rich history from the show, the story was fashioned in a way that I didn't need to know - but I probably would've appreciated everything more. Still, going in blind, I found that this was another whimsical journey into a long-forgotten world where time moved slower, people were generally nicer, and even the wealthy and elite were upstanding citizens that you actually cared about.

The film is split into two major stories, and the first one centers on Maggie Smith's Violet, the Dowager Countess (I have no idea what that title means) who inherits a villa in the South of France under mysterious circumstances. Maggie Smith is a living legend of an actress and I did see some of her highlight reel from the series, and suffice it to say she's my favorite character and someone I want to be when I get older - sarcastic, hilarious, and full of heart for her family. As some of her family go to investigate the villa, we're gifted with another lavish set design that permeates the eyes and leaves you with a fondness you wouldn't normally feel if it was shot on a CGI screen. The place is absolutely beautiful, and the setting around it is equally heavenly, so it's easy to have a smile on your face as you watch the festivities and have warm feelings that you don't normally feel nowadays.

The second story centers around a film crew wanting to film at Downton, and really sheds light on the emergence of talking pictures (or "talkies" as they're called) over the silent film era, and how that affected the careers of numerous actors who, once their voices were heard, were instantly discarded in favor of actors who had a decent voice. It's this setting that Lady Mary is thrust into, as the actress in question has a terrible accent that doesn't work when the movie is changed to a talking picture, and she has to dub her voice during the shoot, which brings her closer to the handsome director while her husband is away. Michelle Dockery absolutely shines as Lady Mary, the stern yet sensible leader of the Downton estate who maintains a stiff upper lip but also values the importance of family - something Violet taught her over and over. As with the first film (and, I'm assuming, the series as well) Downton looks as ravishing as ever, a marvel of architectural beauty that elevates above the lavish green landscape as a beacon of hope that there's still some goodness in the world.

"A New Era" boasts a huge ensemble cast, with many of them returning to their roles from the series, and you can sense that this wasn't made for some soulless endeavor, but really a labor of love. Everyone involved seemed excited to be back at Downton, and to work with each other again - like a family that went their separate ways, but who came back together as if years haven't passed by. There's not one bad performance in the bunch, and while it moves from scene to scene in rapid succession (much like a serialized television series), you're not lost on what's happening - and that's coming from someone who, again, never saw the show.

When it comes to the production design, it's top notch all the way around. Not only does Downton and the villa in France look both imposing and impeccable, but the costume designs, hair styles, and everything else associated with the film has an awe-inspiring feel to them. John Lunn's musical score permeates through every scene, offering a taste of elegance, class, and sophistication to the proceedings. You can't help but have a smile on your face at the very start, and before you know it it's nearing the end, and that smile is still plastered on your face: until the final melancholy moment that makes you truly appreciate everything you've seen before, and value the importance family has on your life, as well as the legacy you leave behind. It's a wonderful bow atop a beautiful gift that's yearning to be opened - and you won't regret when you open it.

The Score: A+