The Crawleys are back in the cinema and it is with pleasure that we reconnect with this family of British aristocrats and their servants, because this new era is full of charm, twists and tasty dialogues.
Posted yesterday at 10:30 a.m.
The year is 1928. Countess Lady Violet (Maggie Smith) learns that she has inherited a villa in the south of France. The news is a surprise in the family, because we wonder why the Marquis de Montmirail bequeathed him such a beautiful house. Would she have had a love affair with the French marquis? Mystery. Part of the family will therefore travel to France on the Côte d’Azur to discover the villa, the widow of the marquis and her son.
PHOTO BEN BLACKALL, PROVIDED BY FOCUS FEATURES
Director Jack Barber (played by Hugh Dancy) and his team while filming a scene from The Gambler
At the same time, a film crew wants to shoot a film, The Gambler, in the sumptuous castle of Downton Abbey, which is considered a very bad idea for Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville). For her part, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) sees it as a way to finance the repair of the roof of the house, in poor condition. The film crew will therefore arrive, to the delight of the servants who have the chance to see their favorite stars. Lady Mary has the heavy task of supervising the film crew and will try to find solutions to the many problems that arise during filming, with the complicity of director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy).
The television series Downton Abbey was a phenomenal success around the world between 2010 and 2015. Viewers became attached to the different characters, from the aristocrats to the cooks and servants, and the different points of view of the story, which we find in the film. We love the biting replies of Lady Violet and we admire the modernity of Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael). We forgive the conservative ideas of Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), the old-fashioned chief butler who rules the house and who does not like change, much less the film crew that invades the house or even his Travel in France !
The screenplay is by Julian Fellowes, creator of the series, who has found inspiration. The first film released in 2019 had not lived up to expectations. This time, the story that takes place alternately between France and the castle gives rhythm to the film directed by Simon Curtis.
What makes the strength of Downton Abbey – A New Era ? Find all the characters and their different perspectives in a changing world, because this new era marks the end of an era. The film also welcomes newcomers who bring a touch of madness. We think of this film team which makes Lady Mary see all the colors. There’s the charm of director Jack Barber and comedian Guy Dexter (Dominic West), and the whims of actress-diva Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock). We even witness, with humour, the end of silent cinema which gives way to spoken cinema, which gives very funny scenes! As for the part that takes place in France, we would have liked Nathalie Baye, who plays the widow of the Marquis de Montmirail, to be more highlighted.
The landscapes, sets and costumes are as sumptuous as ever, which is part of the fun, and the cast is impeccable in this feel-good entertainment.
Indoors
Drama
Downton Abbey – A New Era (Downton Abbey – A New Era)
Simon Curtis
With Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith.
2 hours
Indoors