Displaying items by tag: Elizabeth McGovern

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE

UK, 2025, 125 minutes, Colour.

Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt, Paul Giamatti, Dominic West, Laura Carmichael, Phyllis Logan, Alessandro Nivola, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Joely Richardson, Alan Leech, Robert James-Collier, Simon Russell Beale.

Directed by Simon Curtis.

The title says it all: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. But, Julian Fellowes, creator and writer of the series and the movies, invites us to watch it all. And, it is probably all that Downton Abbey audiences are hoping for.

It is 1930. The Great Depression as hit the United States and, because of Cora, Lady Grantham, American, there are repercussions of the Depression for Downton Abbey itself in the upstairs aristocracy that we have come to know as well as the downstairs servants whom we have also got to know very well. And, although divorce statistics have increased, they are not acceptable in the English upper-class. Lady Mary has filed for divorce, unacceptable, she is shunned, but her family and some of the shocked servants, as well as ourselves, are there to support her.

We are introduced to all the familiar characters, so many of them most getting older, especially Lord Grantham, some retiring. And, with the first part of the film set during the season in London, especially with buildings and billboards in Piccadilly Circus, the theatre season as well, we are immersed in the London experience, especially a visit to Bitter Sweet, Noel Coward’s play, and an introduction to Coward himself, many of his songs and lyrics throughout the film and, the presence of the playwright in London and a visit to Downton along with his star, played by Dominic West. In fact, Noel Coward is going to save the day several times throughout this drama - rehabilitating is Mary (and a wry joke about his play, Private Lives) and his brainwave for his play Cavalcade, seen as a potential investment!.

But, back to Downton, beautiful, sumptuous, the beautiful grounds, limbs and decor, grand dinners… As well as all the familiar faces downstairs and the bonds between those upstairs and downstairs, though, dining separately!

And there is the annual affair, the haughty president, quite misogynistic, what meetings, and the challenge from the new cook at Downton, spurred on by a defiant Lady Merton.

The main drama concerns Cora’s brother, Harry, played by Paul Giamatti, arriving at Downton to sort out their mother’s estate, and the revelation that he has lost money, but is accompanied by his grinning American financial adviser, played by Alessandro Nivola. Lady Mary is taken in by him – but we aren’t. And it takes a very striking sequence by Mary’s sister, Edith, talking very straight at him and unmasking him – all at the seasons races Ascot!

With the financial difficulties, Lady Mary is to take over Downton, her parents move aside, and of an era – and, we should mention, the portrait of Violet, glimpsed many times through the film and some footage from the past of Maggie Smith at her imperious best. This film is dedicated to her.

And, at the end, with the various farewells, and the focus on Lady Mary, she treats us to a whole range of her memories, the events of the past, vignettes of the various characters, meaning that this is a very nostalgic farewell.

The grandeur of Downton Abbey and the memories of its aristocratic and comfortable life are very seductive. Most of us surrender as we watch – but, it is seduction because most of us would be very uncomfortable were we invited in real life to Downton, our reaction to the manner and manners of the aristocratic class, the fact that most of us are quite egailitarian in our attitude to society.

At the end, it is almost as if we should start singing  There’ll Always be an England. But history and reality reminds us that while this Downton life still continues, it is diminishing, but are still part of the dreams and fantasies of the 21^st-century audience. So, the film was right in the final credits’ song is Noel Coward’s I’ll See You Again from Bitter Sweet.

(And for trivial pursuit aficionados, the link between director, Simon Curtis, and star, Elizabeth McGovern, is that they were married in 1993 and have two children.)

1. The popularity of the television series and the various films over such a long period? And popular internationally?
2. The settings, the Abbey, exteriors, the grounds, the lavish interiors, upstairs and downstairs? The contrast with the London sequences, flats in the city, the season in London in the late 1920s, early 1930s? And the American connections? The overriding presence of Maggie Smith, references, portraits?
3. Audience familiarity with the main characters, the generations of characters, marriages? And American connections?
4. The downstairs characters, butler, cook, various maids, companions, the details of life downstairs, the etiquette, the cooking, serving, the meals together downstairs? The accepted status quo?
5. The establishing of the characters, the London sequences, the generation getting older, the next generation, financial issues, moves to London, selling properties? The reality of divorce, acceptable or not in British society, attitudes towards Lady Mary? At popular functions, criticisms, denunciations, her having to leave?
6. Back at Downton Abbey, the financial situation, Robert and Cora, reluctance, decisions, the divorce situation, interactions with Mary? The possibility for moving? To London?
7. Mary, the divorce, memories of her husband, working with her sister, the various connections and in-laws, discussions, support?
8. Cora, her brother arriving, memories, funerals, financial issues? Harold bringing Gus, Gus and his American charm, the racing connections, his behaviour with Mary, the affair, Ascot, his horse, the revelations about his being a conman, taking in Harold, his being unmasked and ousted? Background of the Depression in the US and its consequences worldwide?
9. The various complications with the downstairs characters, changes, retirements, audiences identifying with the range of characters?
10. The local stories, Sir Hector and his hold over the socialising and organisations in the district, Isabel Merton, antagonism, the committee, her friendship with the cook, inviting her to be on the committee, the drama at the various meetings, the cook assertive? And the day itself, at the fair, the various competitions, rides and enjoyment, the crowds, and a comeuppance for Sir Hector?
11. The theatre background, Noel Coward, the musical themes, his celebrity, playwright and his film connection, Noel Coward and his companion, the connection with Downton, all the organisation and secrecy to bring Noel Coward to Downton?
12. Noel Coward, his arrival, downstairs, upstairs, his companion, able to move from upstairs to downstairs, the invitation to the staff to come upstairs, the symbolic changing of society in the 1930s? Howard and his influence, financial investment, and ideas for future plays?
13. The farewell to Downton Abbey, Robert and Cora, Mary and her new responsibilities?
14. The wide popularity of these characters and their situations – and, yet, audiences enjoying the fiction but critical of the class differences and realities?

AND MRS

UK, 2024, 111 minutes, Colour.

Aisling Bea, Billy Lourd, Susan Wokoma, Harriet Walter, Sinead Cusack, Peter Egan, Omari Douglas, Samuel Barnett, Paul Kaye, Elizabeth McGovern, Colin Hanks.

Directed by Daniel Reisinger.

Most of us may have to look twice at the title. Is there a misprint? An omission? No, in fact the title is quite accurate. And, if one were looking for a smart title, we might suggest A Post-mortem Romantic Comedy.

While the film is British, the writer is an Australian playwright living in London. And, the director is also Australian. Some audiences may sense a somewhat Australian sardonic tone, the humour in the seriousness.

This is Gemma’s story. She is played by Aising Bear. She is in a relationship with an American, Nathan, played by Colin Hanks. He has proposed. And while she has accepted, the engagement is still on something of an emotional long finger.

There is quite an early twist of the plot, something which advertising and trailers may quickly indicate. However, this review will take the reticent stance.

We spend a lot of time in London, with Gemma, with her close friends, happy flashbacks with Nathan and scenes of a sense of his presence with her all the time, with her parents, who are supportive of her engagement to Nathan and are eager for a happy resolution of the engagement despite Gemma’s hesitations.

Also in the picture are Nathan’s relations, the visit to London from his somewhat wacky sister, Audrey (Billy Lourd, Carrie Fisher’s daughter, in fact) and a visit to the United States to visit their mother, Elizabeth McGovern, a long way from Downton Abbey.

There are some legal difficulties which are pursued throughout the film, especially in approaches to the Chief Justice for various permissions required. And, as a bonus for audiences of British films and television, she is played by Harriet Walter.

Ultimately, there is a happy ending, a wedding ceremony, and we realise what the title means.

1. Curiosity about the title? The explanation, engagement, the wedding?
2. The British setting, Australian writer and director, humorous tone, satiric tones, romantic tones?
3. The structure of the film, the present, the range of flashbacks, building up the picture of Nathan and his relationship with Gemma? His appearances in her imagination?
4. A romantic comedy, a post-mortem romantic comedy, marriage and commitment to a dead’s powers? In terms of realism? In terms of imagination and comedy? The background of legal issues and precedents in the UK and France?
5. Gemma’s story, her relationship with Nathan, his American background, her life, work, exercises, returning to find Nathan has died? The impact on her, grief, surprise? Her reliance on her best friend, flight attendant with her stories, consolation and support? The response of her parents, their understanding, discussions?
6. The issue of the funeral, the arrangements, the messages for Audrey, not picking up her phone, Nathan’s sister, arrival in the UK, thinking it a joke, the reality, vomiting into the Prada bag? Her personality, erratic? Her stories about their mother? Abandoning them? The later visit by Gemma to their mother, her life, conversations, Audrey outside, eventually coming in, the mother’s hard stands, not consenting to the wedding, the later scenes of rethinking, the photo, change of heart?
7. The funeral, the speaker, the parody of this kind of speech, Audrey and her attack, ousting him? The effect on everyone?
8. The idea of the wedding, the research, the approach to the Chief Justice, the impersonation of the court, sitting in on the prostitution case, the farcical aspects? The application, the letter, the return, the discussions with the Chief Justice, the eager assistant supporting the idea, the continued meetings, her turning down the issue, the legal precedents, her own life? The final meeting, the eventual persuasion, and her seeing herself in a good light?
9. Manager of the restaurant for the wedding, his criticisms of Nathan and online rules, the confrontation with Gemma? Agreeing to hold the reception? The final sequence in the middle of the credits at the reception?
10. Nathan’s best friend, arriving, no refund for the ticket, his attraction to Gemma’s best friend, together, talking, dancing?
11. The gay friend, his support, is officiating at the wedding? Attracted to the Chief Justices assistant?
12. The film showing Gemma’s moods, frame of mind, the reappearance is of Nathan, her imagining him, reassessing the engagement, the flashback to the proposal, the reasons for acceptance, her not having the opportunity to explain her commitment to Nathan, the urgency of the quest, the interviews with the Chief Justice, with Nathan’s mother (and going to America with the comedy of the best friend having to go through security so many times)?
13. The ultimate ceremony, her hesitations, her mother absent for the moment, the deep commitment, the ceremony, the aftermath and the celebrations and support?
14. An offbeat idea, a post-mortem romcom?