Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - Cheerio, Downton. It’s been brilliant. We’re chuffed!
By Chris Knight
Rating: B+
I’ll admit it: It wasn’t easy to say goodbye to the Seventh Earl of Grantham, his extended family and friends, and his retinue of below-stairs staff.
But fortunately, the two-plus hours that is Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale provides many an opportunity for them to say goodbye to us, and to remind each other — and viewers — that history continues to march forward, and things must change.
When the TV series began in 2010, it showed us a still-new 20th century grappling with the sinking of the Titanic in the spring of 1912. Since then, time has run at roughly the same pace on both sides of the screen, first small, then large. We’ve aged 15 years while the Granthams have welcomed a few additional summers. This new film opens in 1930.
As with many of the earlier episodes, the problems in this one are not exactly of the life-and-death variety.
Lady Mary Grantham (Michelle Dockery) is going through a divorce and finds herself ostracized by Yorkshire society. Former butler Carson (Jim Carter) and incoming head cook Daisy (Sophie McShera) join a committee planning a community event, but are treated rudely by Sir Hector (Simon Russell Beale), who thinks servants should be seen and not heard. Misters Barrow and Molesley, former servants now ensconced in the film world, find it hard to navigate their new social status.
The biggest concern? Financial ruination! (I could have said “ruin,” but it’s serious enough to warrant the extra syllables.) Paul Giamatti plays the wisecracking Yankee brother of Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and shows up with news that the family fortune is in tatters. Fortunately, he has a fiscally knowledgeable friend (Alessandro Nivola) who may be able to help.
If none of this means anything to you, then you’ve come to the wrong movie. The Grand Finale (honest!) is meant for fans of the show, offering the faithful one last dance with their favourite character — well, except for the Dowager Countess, who died at the end of the previous film, not long before Dame Maggie Smith did the same. Though the former does get a lovely portrait in the main hall, and the latter a loving thanks in the credits.
But everybody else is there, although you might forget that any of them have young children, for all the appearances they make in the movie. Clearly, returning director Simon Curtis and writer-creator Julian Fellowes have decided that followers of the show don’t really care much for kids in the mix.
And while the filmmakers say this is indeed the final chapter, reboots in recent years of Frasier, Sex and the City, Gossip Girl and other nostalgic properties prove that where there’s a Will (& Grace) there’s a way.
I would’t be surprised to see Mary Lady welcoming in displaced British children when the Second World War strikes, or becoming a real estate tycoon in the 1950s.
Until then, Downton will remain ready and waiting.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Directed by Simon Curtis. Starring Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, and Elizabeth McGovern. In theatres September 12.