Director
Michael Engler

Starring
Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt.

Okay, so I’m going to qualify this review by stating that I’m an unashamed Downton geek! Not much in life brings me greater joy than the cutting quips of the Dowager Countess of Grantham, and I had to do everything in my power to restrain myself from micro-clapping with glee every time she ripped out a verbal bitch-slap with the kind of eloquent precision that only Maggie Smith can manage. So please keep that in mind when considering my rating for this film.

When the announcement came that Downton Abbey was to transition into film, I was both excited to see all of my favourites one more time, but nervous that the charm and brilliance of the television series wouldn’t translate well to the big screen….but as it turned out, I had nothing to worry about. As soon as its opening scene travels through the township to arrive at the Downton estate in all its grandeur, it feels as though the six seasons of the series were merely a build up to this moment. Downton was made for the big screen, and now anything less feels underwhelming.

Picking up a few years from where the television series left off, little has changed in the lives of the Crawley family and the staff that service their home. Excitement builds as the household learns of an imminent visit from the King and Queen, throwing the lives of everyone at Downton into jubilated chaos. Most of our favourites are back for this new instalment, with Lily James being the only notable exception. With all the usual drama, romance and its understated use of comedy, this is a film that fans can be excited about.

I think it’s a true compliment to a film when the final credits roll and you wish that it still had more to go, and that was very much the case for me with this one. It was like running into an old flame and realising you were still madly in love with them. I laughed, I cried and I felt waves of pure joy at every cutting sentence that Julian Fellowes birthed into this accomplished script.

Fans of the show with revel in the new offering put forward, and even those who haven’t watched the series in its entirety will be able to find enjoyment in the experience. The perfect film to take your Mum to on a Sunday afternoon; don’t miss your invitation to the Royal event of the year.

4.5 stars

Trailer
DOWNTON ABBEY

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.

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