Displaying items by tag: Penelope Wilton

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?

MURDER IS EASY

UK, 2023, 117 minutes, Colour.

David Jonsson, Matthew Baynton, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton, Douglas Henshaw, Mark Bonnar, Sinead Matthews, Jon Pointing, Tom Riley.

Directed by Meena Gaur.

Looking at the many negative comments on the IMDb, one wonders whether the choice of the Nigerian as the central character set up prejudicial reactions to the film. On the other hand, the many Agatha Christie fans who like her stories and appreciate different interpretations, have enjoyed it.

In checking on the Wikipedia synopsis of Agatha Christie’s 1939 novel, this version keeps very close to the characters and the plot developments. It had been filmed in 1982 with Bill Bixby as the investigator, Lesley Anne Down as his associate, Helen Hayes as the old lady, Miss Marple like, who observes the murders – and Olivia Haviland as the murderer.

The cast here is not so well-known. In changing the investigator (who in the original returns from overseas postings) to a Nigerian, it has something of the same effect. Although, this is 1954 and there are some immediate reactions to his black presence.

The investigator encounters a Miss Marple like character on a train, played by Penelope Wilton, who tells him of murders in her village (more dangerous than St Mary Mead) and then she herself is murdered. He travels to the town, encounters a young woman at coroner’s sessions, judged accidental deaths, but she is engaged to a self-made peer who has ambitions to transform his village into a modern development.

He seems to be the obvious murderer, plenty of motives and, later, revealed to be fanatical in his attitude towards anyone who opposes him, working with God, so he says, to strike down his enemies. And, with this explanation, it might seem that Agatha Christie has decided that the obvious person is the killer. However, there is a twist and after the detailed explanation about how the villain might have committed all the murders, there are the visuals scenes of the actual killer and the actual murders, building up to a confrontation and rescue.

The end of the novel, the couple is married – not quite the easy romantic fix in this one!

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie novels? This one from 1939 but set in 1954, the Nigerian character, the major and his overseas service, minister and his service in India and his Indian wife, comments about Nigerian independence, British rule, Partition?
2. 1954, the scenes in London, the streets and the betting? The train ride, the village, the names, accommodation, shops and pubs, the mansion, tennis, doctor’s office…? Real feel? The musical score?
3. Luke Fitzwilliam, the opening, his nightmare, the fire and chase, the knife? This recurring? And the finale with the knife? His background in Nigeria, coming to England, political service, the job in Whitehall? The encounter with Miss Pinkerton, friendly, the story of the murders, the betting, his placing the bet, the race and her winnings, her death? His discussion with his friends, their taunting him about his job, independent in Nigeria, is very Britishness?
4. His decision to investigate the situation, arrival, the sessions, accidental deaths, the encounter with Bridget? Some reactions to his being black? Accommodation? No vacancies – giving the money, vacancies? The invitation to the reception? Bridget and her engagement to Lord Whitfield? His manner, the back story, the development? His deals during the war, acquiring the peerage?
5. The story of the murders, the Weir, falling from the building? The further deaths, the minister and his attack and collapse, his later death? The maid, the poison? The outspoken objector at the hearings and his death? The doctor, under suspicion, his collapse and fall at the engagement party?
6. The visit to the poor return, the hostility in the pub, the change, friendship, the women at the engagement party, engaging them for the expose of the murderer?
7. Fitzwilliam and his discussions with Bridget, his investigations, the experience at the Weir with the water, the rescue? His presence at the maid’s death? The later suspicion of him by the police? His involvement with Lord Whitfield, the tennis game, the attraction to Bridget? The engagement party? Lord Whitfield’s reaction?
8. The range of suspects, the doctor and his medication, the revelation of his eugenic books and ideas, the Indian wife and her daughter? Rose and her attraction to the doctor, her being shocked at the books? The doctor and his opportunities, suspicious behaviour, playing up to Lord Whitfield? The surprise of his collapse and death?
9. The major, walking the dog, or haughty towards Fitzwilliam, Is Speaking the language, finding the right time, collaboration, the information from Scotland Yard?
10. The minister, his arguments against Lord Whitfield and the development, his Indian wife, daughter? The funeral?
11. Miss Waynefleet, in the background, the death of her maid? Her back story, emerging, as stories about Lord Whitfield, the buildup of the case against Lord Whitfield, his outbursts about God being on his side, threatening Fitzwilliam?
12. Investigation, the discussions, the clues toured Lord Whitfield, the realisation about Miss Waynefleet, her drugging Bridget, the walk, the talk, attempting to kill her, the rescue?
13. The final solution, Fitzwilliam and his decision to return to Nigeria for independence, and the attraction for Bridget?