Downton Abbey: Review by Little Sister Hayes
I’m always interested in knowing the music that fuels writers, artists, coders, personal trainers, Peloton instructors, choreographers, surgeons, you get the idea. In case you share my insatiable curiosity about life’s grace notes, this review was written to “Whiskey in the Jar” as performed by Metallica.
When I left the theater an hour ago, my immediate and persistent thought was (and still is) that this film will win the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. (The last time I felt this level of certainty was when I exited The Departed in 2006 and noted in my calendar that it would win the Academy Award for Best Screenplay. It did.)
The art direction of this film clearly follows a highly specific vision. Downton Abbey exuberantly embraces the fact that in the United States it opens the last weekend of summer (in the Northern Hempisphere, Autumn begins September 23). The palette of this film is heaven for those who love Fall. Everywhere in this film all elements celebrate the spectrum of Autumn jewel tones: russet, plum, cranberry, hunter green, royal blue, an entire chorus of shades of orange to red, and even the leaves in the nearby trees glow with golden Autumn leaves. It’s obvious that immaculate attention to detail ensured that no spring, winter, or summer uncomplimentary pantone was admitted on set. Costumes and jewelry are exactly what fans came for, but it is the overall pervasive delicious presence of Fall that sets this achievement apart.
As some of you may remember from my other reviews, when I’m analyzing a movie that intends to position itself as an epic sweeping event, I always examine the holistic balance of the film - whether all natural elements are present and if so, how. My favorite aspect of Downton Abbey is how thoughtfully and lovingly all elements are embraced. Fire merrily crackles on hearths and illuminates the torches leading into evening fêtes; sconces and chandeliers softly glow golden.
Homage to air is delicately presented in several lingering shots of the flag fluttering above the Abbey, ruffling leaves in trees, and perhaps most definitely when Lady Edith enjoys a dawn stroll in a whirl of blossoms. Emphasis on the English preoccupation with Earth and the cherished British natural landscape is evoked through Carson’s prolific cottage garden and the meticulous gardeners grooming vast expanses of Downton lawn. And of course, my personal favorite: water. We are treated to a very intentional lingering view of the genteel local tributary complete with paddling ducks, the servants allude to England’s emblematic swimming Swans as a metaphor for preparing for a royal visit, a key plot point hinges on the temperature of water for the home, and most significantly a torrential rainstorm provides Lady Mary with the baptism she needs to accept her life’s calling (later reinforced in a heart to heart chat with her grandmother). In the torrential downpour, the most loyal servants are unified in loyalty with the Crawleys.
Most of all, Downton Abbey is a modern and relentless exploration of identity. Virtually every character’s story arc can be traced back to this theme. As characters reveal, conceal, evolve, embrace, or otherwise interact with their identities, the benevolent Abbey stands neutral and embracing for the past, present, and future generations of Crawleys and their extended world. Importantly, by the end of the film the Crawleys mirror their home and arrive at authentic acceptance of each other as well. Seasoning the script with her usual unsentimental pragmatism, Dame Maggie Smith does not appear in the film as much as I had hoped going in, however she delivers a generous supply of the barbed wit for which we are all counting on her.
Bottom line: Downton Abbey is a freestanding complete package with no unsatisfying loose ends. If you haven’t watched the television series, you will easily be able to follow this movie with no preparatory miniseries episode binge watching needed. If you are a Downton fan, you will inevitably enjoy this composition. This film is as polished and meticulously presented as Carson’s formal dining table, and you will enjoy the sparkle.
5 out of 6 blueberries
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