#downtownabbey

I’ve never seen any of the Downtown Abbey show but I bet I’m not the only one. Could the 2019 film be a jumping-on point? Not really but it does make you want to see more. I bet anyone who sat through the series will be immensely pleased with this theatrical release.

Set in 1927, Downtown Abbey is the home of the Crawley family and its staff. When they learn King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) are coming as part of a royal tour through the country, the cooks, maids, butlers, and doormen cannot wait to receive them - just as the royal staff arrives to take over their duties. While they squabble, Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) attempts to corner Lady Maud Bagshaw (Imedla Staunton) and convince her to name Robert (Hugh Bonneville) as her heir. With everyone occupied by the visit and family matters, Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) wonders if Downtown Abbey hasn’t become more trouble than it's worth and considers selling it.

If the summary is making your head spin, I don’t blame you. There are so many characters and subplots crammed into the 122-minute running time I gave up trying to remember names. In the end, I didn’t mind. The actors are so comfortable in their roles you fill in the gaps and keep lapping up the drama presented. While there is A LOT going on - I omitted the subplot about an assassin after the king, footman Andy Parker (Michael C. Fox) wondering if he and his fiancé Daisy (Sophie McShera) are right for each other, Princess Mary (Kate Phillips) and her marital troubles, and more - the characters are so well defined, you “get” them easily. The staff of Downtown display such enthusiasm while preparing the household proud you cheer for them to succeed even if the idea of monarchs and servants is entirely foreign to you. The script knows these characters are likable and takes full advantage of them; giving everyone something to do. Although I was meeting these people for the first time, they all felt like old friends.

While I had a great time, I wonder if Downtown Abbey needed to be a movie. This could’ve made for a season’s worth of material, or at the very least a handful of episodes. Assuming you were watching the series “for free” on TV, suddenly having to pay movie ticket prices feels odd.

My visit to Downtown Abbey was more than pleasant. The drama is engaging, the sets gorgeous, the ladies’ hats are a delight, and the actors in their prime. As it came to a close, I was sad to see Downtown Abbey go. I’d be game for more - if only to get more Maggie Smith vs. Imelda Staunton. You could probably wait to see Downtown Abbey at home but if you don’t mind paying for a ticket, you'll be glad you did. (Theatrical version on the big screen, September 21, 2019)

She’s so beautiful! ❤ Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley, Downton Abbey

Dona de dois Oscar, quatro Emmys, três Globos de Ouro, um Tony e sete Baftas, a atriz britânica Maggie Smith faleceu na manhã desta sexta-feira, 27 de setembro. Ela tinha 89 anos. A informação foi confirmada nas redes sociais por Toby Stephens e Chris Larkin, filhos da artista: Maggie Smith em Downtown Abbey @ divulgação “É com grande tristeza que informamos a morte de Maggie Smith. Ela morreu…