Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Wednesday 18 september 2019
'Downton Abbey' film is stately but too safe

By LINDSEY BAHR debut with their own little
Associated Press arc and some lavish cos-
The "Downton Abbey " tume changes. But Michael
movie isn't exactly a movie. Engler's direction doesn't
It's more like another sea- bring any cinematic gran-
son of the popular "Master- deur to this continuing story
piece Classic" show that's of a family and their ser-
been condensed to 90 vants. And Fellowes' script
minutes instead of 8 hours. has the impossible task of
Written by series creator Ju- giving every character their
lian Fellowes, almost every own mini plot, as if focusing
character who made it out in on one or a few would
of the six season run alive have had fans of the other
is back for their big screen members of the very large

This image released by Focus features shows Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot, center left,
and Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot in a scene from "Downton Abbey."
Associated Press

ensemble up in arms. To- Butler Mr. Carson (Jim Car- ones who don't have all
gether it makes "Downton son), when she feels like that much going on are
Abbey" the movie a fairly his successor Thomas Bar- the Granthams themselves,
shallow experience: All set row (Robert James-Collier) Cora (Elizabeth McGovern)
dressing and nostalgia and isn't equipped to handle and Robert (Hugh Bonnev-
some delicious Dowager this high profile occasion. ille).
Countess one-liners. It's one of many construc- That's not to say that there
For "Downton" devotees, tions that will leave you aren't good moments.
the crumbs might be wondering whether fan ser- There are, in fact, many, es-
enough. For anyone else vice has gotten in the way pecially for those who miss
just dropping in, however, of believable storytelling. the voyeurism of the fancy
"Downton Abbey" doesn't Yes, it brings Carson back dress evenings with the
exactly stand on its own. to Downton and allows family and their helpers. As
The tidy reason for this big Thomas to go off on his own in the series, the Dowager is
reunion is that King George adventure in town, but it's always a standout and at
V and Queen Mary have hard to deny that this is one 84, Maggie Smith is as fierce
decided to spend a night overstuffed movie. and fiery as ever in bringing
at Downton Abbey as part Consider just some of the her to life. And it is always
of a royal tour. It's 1927 subplots floating around: lovely spending time in
and the aristocratic class Daisy (Sophie McShera) such lush surroundings. But
is continuing to question gets to question her en- the movie could have ben-
their place in a moderniz- gagement; The long-wid- efited on a little focus and
ing Britain, but there are just owered Branson (Allen not so much fan service,
enough of the old traditions Leech) gets a possible love especially considering how
left that the news of this interest and anarchy sub- good all of the ensemble
royal visit sends the estate plot; Anna (Joanne Frog- actors are in these roles.
into a tizzy. When the royal gatt) solves a mystery; The Perhaps that's why Fellowes
entourage descends, the Dowager debates inheri- couldn't choose just one.
downstairs staff is horrified tance with her cousin Lady Besides, if the camera
to learn that they'll be sit- Maud Bagshaw (Imelda movements and swelling
ting on the sidelines for the Staunton); Poor Edith (Lau- music cues are any indica-
visit. The royals travel with ra Carmichael) gets some tion, there is only real star
cooks, footmen, butlers, good and bad news (can't anyway: Downton Abbey
valets and dressers and this let her be too happy!); And itself. "Downton Abbey," a
group is especially dismis- Lady Mary, well, she gets a Focus Features release, is
sive of the provincial Down- hand in most things, except rated PG by the Motion Pic-
ton employees. her own relationship since ture Association of America
Lady Mary (Michelle Dock- her husband Henry (Mat- for "thematic elements,
ery) even decides to en- thew Goode) is absent for some suggestive material,
list the help of their retired most of the film. The only and language."q