Downton Abbey: A New Era Movie Review

SPOILER ALERT: This review of Downton Abbey: A New Era will not overtly disclose important movie details, but it may hint at certain plot twists/ points.

Pinkies up!

For lovers of the Downton Abbey series, this new movie will not disappoint. For new viewers, this movie will confuse, but still delight if an escape to another time and glamorous place is desired.

Set in the early 1930’s, years following the series and first film, the idyllic world of life in the verdant English countryside unfolds with the full array of beloved characters. Well, all but one whose absence leaves the viewer cheering for a little unseemliness by a central character (Mary); sadly, and tellingly, she does not take the bait and denies us a luscious new plotline. Perhaps the era of Downton Abbey has truly come to an end.

Downton Abbey: A New Era portrays how the world around Downton is rapidly changing in the years before WWII. Cultural norms are fraying and new opportunities for talent arise in surprising ways. The old order of Ladies and Lords is fading under the challenges of mundane household maintenance issues and evolving social norms of the modern world. Buckling under financial pressures, the family must surrender its coveted privacy and accept the financial rewards of leveraging their greatest asset (Downton Abbey itself) in a wholly new way; a choice that forever shatters the foundations of domestic order. What do titles and good manners matter in a world where movie stars’ erratic caprices prevail, unseen investors from across the pond hold power, and Hollywood’s silver screen molds what all (even household servants in the Yorkshire countryside) aspire to?

Valiantly holding onto the past, Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) actively fights back against the tide of modernity. His performance includes some real scene stealers, filled with energy, passion, conviction and even delightful comedy. Though subdued by the vagaries of time, Dowager Violet (Maggie Smith) still commands and delivers a few memorable zings and juicy morsels of wisdom and personal life history. The Dowager continues to be a force of nature and woman of many surprises.

Julian Fellowes’ plot development is overall consistent with the original series, although a bit of softness and desire for neat and tidy closure prevails. An overall malaise pervades many scenes; perhaps many of the familiar actors have wearied with the whole Downton gig and are ready to move on? There are some unnecessarily complex film angles and a bit too much soaring camerawork and green scenes intended to add drama and grandeur. Despite these quibbles, there are delightful surprises, beautiful landscapes, luscious costumes, and the ending brings a titanic climax of emotion for those who have embraced the Crawley family household through the years. For anyone with a heart, there could not have been a dry eye in the house during our screening.

By the end, there really are no mysteries left, all stones have been turned, and it is a glorious finale. At two hours, the film is too short for those of us who are hooked – if only it could have been hours longer, allowing the viewer to linger in that world of glittering dresses, golden interiors, cozy tweeds, and lush landscapes! For those who may be new or not so enthralled by the world of Downton, a bit of editing would not have hurt. If any more Downton movies are to come, that would be a bit surprising, but also welcome if the Fellowes magic prevails.

– Review by Jimmy McDonough

To learn more about Downton Abbey: A New Era, visit the Focus Features website.  To get into the spirit, read about a Downton Abbey-inspired cookbook and make the recipe for Cucumber Sandwiches.