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9

FXOSep 24, 2019

As a big fan of "Downton Abbey", I expected to like this movie and did. The characters are all so familiar and so well-written it felt like I was returning to my old neighborhood where friends and acquaintances abounded, and we picked upAs a big fan of "Downton Abbey", I expected to like this movie and did. The characters are all so familiar and so well-written it felt like I was returning to my old neighborhood where friends and acquaintances abounded, and we picked up right where we left off. Nevertheless, the way the movie was written and directed, I do believe it stands on its own merits for anyone unfamiliar with the series. Might even pique their interest in some of the back stories.

There were times when the plot dragged a little and slowed, but that can happen in any movie, and it happened with the TV program at times as well. Or perhaps the story's exposition seemed to unfold slowly because of our society's penchant for immediate responses, constant updates and instant gratification. Story-telling by its very nature sometimes requires more time and attention than a text or email.

The cast were all in fine form. Maggie Smith had more delicious bon mots than usual. With Penelope Wilton in equally good form, the repartee between the two was as delight as ever. Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary is a standout and more than up to the task of what may be expected from her in future movies. True, there were a good number of subplots but I enjoyed them all. After all, everyone's real life has multiple subplots...ones of which we are aware and ones of which we are not. The difference is that in the movie, we are aware of them all and Julian does a masterful job at tying them together. These include Branson (with Allen Leech looking trimmer which becomes him) involved in a couple of subplots and Rob James-Collier's Barrow being humanized more, helping us to understand him better. Oddly enough, my biggest complaint was the larger budget. I know this was the King and Queen of England visiting and the money was well spent, but for me it detracted from the story-telling. This is such a well-written and developed plot, it did not need the excess.

Must end this review on a positive note. Although there were no "cliffhangers" (I detest those), there were a number of plot developments which set the stage quite neatly for future productions and I am looking forward to the next movie. Well done Julian, and to all the cast and crew. You've done another masterful job in bringing to life a bygone era while making the characters seem real and as fresh as if it all happened yesterday.… Expand

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10

RJK69Sep 25, 2019

Absolutely splendid movie. Saw it in a packed theater on a Tuesday night. If you love the show, you'll love the movie. I know I did! Bravo, Julian Fellowes for a great script and for his wonderful cast vividly bringing his wonderful words to life.

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1

joelgreenbergOct 6, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the question, "What were they thinking?" can be answered easily: "They weren't". This is a waste of time, talent and viewers' time. Julian Fellowes, writer of this, the tv series from which this comes, and "Gosford Park", another, and far superior, insight into class, power and an anachronistic society long past its sell-by date.
This film plods when it doesn't evaporate before your eyes.
The characters' preoccupations help to clarify why this world vanished.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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3

Mauro_LanariJan 17, 2020

(Mauro Lanari)
A quite cloying sociologism, very James Ivory style, more unctuous than sumptuous but not worse than "Parasite".

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3

notacriticorfanSep 27, 2019

Watching this movie reminded me of a 20-year high school reunion. If you had seen the TV show, it was like meeting your old high school friends, talking for a few minutes, catching up, and then ready to move on. If you had never seen theWatching this movie reminded me of a 20-year high school reunion. If you had seen the TV show, it was like meeting your old high school friends, talking for a few minutes, catching up, and then ready to move on. If you had never seen the show, it was like the spouse of the person who went to the high school. You didn't know anyone and nothing happened that made you ever want to know anyone. You just wanted to leave.… Expand

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7

GreatMartinSep 24, 2019

There were two kind of people in the audience: those who have seen every, or almost every, 52 episodes of "Downton Abbey" and those who never saw it or, like me, only saw, maybe 3-4 episodes, over the 6 seasons it was on PBS.

You could tellThere were two kind of people in the audience: those who have seen every, or almost every, 52 episodes of "Downton Abbey" and those who never saw it or, like me, only saw, maybe 3-4 episodes, over the 6 seasons it was on PBS.

You could tell people from the first category as they laughed at EVERYTHING Maggie Smith said, and did, funny or not, while those in the latter category might have smiled at one of her barbed witticisms but certainly didn't laugh out loud.

This is a review looking at it as a stand alone movie while those who see it as an extension of the series most definitely would review it differently.

The screenplay by Julian Fellowes introduces between 30-40 characters with about as many story lines involving 2 or 10 of them. Anyone who is a movie goer can see where most of them are heading but a couple fail to pay off and a couple just fizzle out while a major one had me going, "So what's new? Knew that from the moment they came on screen!"

The opening segment sets the direction of all the lush photographic scenes and rich looks, in more ways than one, of the costumes, jewelry, and the settings both in and out of Downton Abbey.

The story revolves around the visit of King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) who will be spending an evening at Downton Abbey, bringing their own staff of kitchen and servants which brings about a rebellion between the Royal's and Abbey's staffs offering about 5-6 story lines while there are many, some confusing, story lines regarding family members in all sorts of matches from mother and daughter to sister-in-laws.

There are too many actors/characters to mention all but, yes, Maggie Smith is a delight and the encounters between her and Imelda Staunton are master classes in acting. I have been a fan of Elizabeth McGovern since I saw her in 1981 in "Ragtime" but I have a feeling her role in the TV series was larger and stronger. I recognized a few actors such as Jim Carter but the one who really made an impression, and getting the biggest laugh, is one I am unable to put a name with the face even looking through the cast credits--possibly Brendon Coyle--playing one of the major Abbey servant's.

While "Downton Abbey" is a good example of the genre it is not as memorable as "Howards End" or, my favorite, "A Room With A View". While the outdoor scenes are lush this sequel would have done better as a 'made for TV movie'.

Am curious to hear from fans of the TV series as to what they thought of the movie.… Expand

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10

LynnettecastonSep 22, 2019

It was wonderful! I want more. I'll see it at least 3 more times. Thank you for bringing this beautiful story back.

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4

xDWxSep 22, 2019

If you're a big Downton Abbey fan looking for Downton Abbey fan service, you'll probably like this movie. (I've watched every episode of the TV series, and thought it was so-so.) The biggest problem I had with the movie is that they try andIf you're a big Downton Abbey fan looking for Downton Abbey fan service, you'll probably like this movie. (I've watched every episode of the TV series, and thought it was so-so.) The biggest problem I had with the movie is that they try and cram waaayyyy too many subplots into it to the point of confusion, a decision which turns the movie into a series of random events, some of which are kind of pointless. The second is that they flattened out all the characters. The tension between characters that existed on the TV show has all but disappeared, and the tension between the classes has largely disappeared. People's character flaws are also largely removed. As a result, much of the drama is diminished. Like I said, if you love Downton Abbey, you'll probably enjoy this movie. But, if you're expecting a bigger, better cinematic version of Downton Abbey instead of a tamer two-hour long TV episode that mostly ties up a lot of loose ends, you're expecting too much.… Expand

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8

BHBarrySep 23, 2019

“Downton Abbey” is the long awaited feature film version of the six season television series that was previously shown on PBS and, like its creator, was also written by Julian Fellows,
The film was directed by Michael Engler and stars all of“Downton Abbey” is the long awaited feature film version of the six season television series that was previously shown on PBS and, like its creator, was also written by Julian Fellows,
The film was directed by Michael Engler and stars all of the usual suspects including Elizabeth Mc/Govern, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery. It is difficult to write a review of a film where this viewer, at least, has seen all prior television episodes. As a result, its feature length counterpart appears to be more like another but longer episode of its parent television series.
For those few unfamiliar with the series and its characters, I would assume that for them there is a problem in not understanding the true nature and history of the characters that past viewers had a chance to learn, absorb and understand over 6 years of television watching. To that extent those “uneducated” viewers will be seeing an interesting and well acted film presentation with extremely high production values in a well written format..
For those experienced veterans of the series, it will be like “old home week” seeing the beloved and respected group of noble persons and their staff as they encounter diverse and interesting plots and plot twists where the viewer is involved until the very end of the theatrical experience. The latter type of viewer, most of whom were in the audience in which I saw the film, acted much like a group of dedicated groupies at a music concert where the performers could do no wrong regardless of the performance.
Factoring all of the above I give the film a rating of 8 because, when all is said and done, it is an enjoyable film to watch and despite its 2 hour and 15 minute length, the only watch you will look at is the one held in the hand of Lord Crawley as he awaits the call for dinner.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

Brent_MarchantSep 21, 2019

When a television series makes its transition from the small screen to the large screen, it needs to provide newcomers with enough back story to make the film understandable. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the movie version of theWhen a television series makes its transition from the small screen to the large screen, it needs to provide newcomers with enough back story to make the film understandable. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the movie version of the popular PBS series "Downton Abbey." Having not seen the broadcast version, I came in cold and left the theater feeling the same way, but for very different reasons. The picture tries to cram far too much material into its runtime, including what are obviously many hanging story threads, as well as a new major one created just for the film. The result is a hurriedly executed story that's at times difficult to follow without the back story, mixed in with some plot devices that are just downright silly, almost juvenile, in nature. Despite the film's impeccable production values and its fine performances by Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and Imelda Staunton, it has little else to offer to viewers, except those who are for diehard fans, who are likely to love it, regardless of its many regrettable shortcomings. If you're unfamiliar with the material of this franchise, skip it; you'll save yourself boatloads of frustration, boredom and incredulity.… Expand

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8

Camuser59Sep 21, 2019

I have never seen the PBS Series but it has lasted a long time for a reason, people like it. I can count on one hand how many times an audience has clapped at the end of the showing of a movie recently, my audience did. So if you areI have never seen the PBS Series but it has lasted a long time for a reason, people like it. I can count on one hand how many times an audience has clapped at the end of the showing of a movie recently, my audience did. So if you are thinking about going and have never seen the series, I would say go for it. It is full of fun if you just sit back and wonder what it was like to live like this 100 years ago. That kind of escapism is what movies are all about. If you think in those terms - you will go away happy.… Expand

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10

ReyndtrSep 25, 2019

I will not spoil it for everyone, but best 2 hours of fabulous characters, beautiful costumes, wonderful estates, best watching since show’s final episode. I laughed, I cried, meet King George V and Queen Mary! Who, as we all know is QueenI will not spoil it for everyone, but best 2 hours of fabulous characters, beautiful costumes, wonderful estates, best watching since show’s final episode. I laughed, I cried, meet King George V and Queen Mary! Who, as we all know is Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather. Her uncle David was the King who abdicated his throne, her father became George VI. Her mother was Queen Elizabeth also but was Queen consort, not Queen Elizabeth II, monarch. Oh, enough I say. But movie was so, so, good. Tied up all of the things that I wondered about for the future of the Wonderful Crawley family! I am crossing fingers and toes for a Christmas at the Abbey! Sometime in a few years.… Expand

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8

TVJerryOct 1, 2019

Fans of the TV series will swoon over the sumptuous big screen spectacle featuring the lovely estate and the equally luxurious costumes. The flurry of activity revolves around the preparation and visit of the King and Queen. The wholeFans of the TV series will swoon over the sumptuous big screen spectacle featuring the lovely estate and the equally luxurious costumes. The flurry of activity revolves around the preparation and visit of the King and Queen. The whole upstairs/downstairs gang has returned and almost every one of them gets a subplot that neatly ties up their story (almost a bit too tidy for my taste). The dialogue is typically crisp and the scenes are characteristically brief…keeping the pacing up and the complexity down. Without backstory explanations, Downton "virgins" are liable to be confused about the relationships , but they'll still be able to enjoy this elegant period excursion.… Expand