"Downton Abbey: A New Era" - Film Review
The beloved cast of the PBS series have returned once again to Downton Abbey for Downton Abbey: A New Era. The film picks up fairly soon after the 1927 events of the 2019 film, Downton Abbey, and begins with the wedding of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton). The wedding is somewhat overshadowed by the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley’s (Maggie Smith) announcement that she has inherited a villa in the south of France. The widow of the Marquis de Montmirail isn’t willing to give up the villa without a fight, and Lady Grantham is too old to sort out the ownership of the villa herself, so of course the other members of the family must travel to France.
At Downton Abbey, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) receives a phone call from a film crew who would like to shoot their movie on the grounds of the estate. In desperate need for funds to maintain the home, Lady Mary accepts the proposal from the film’s director, Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy). The Downton staff is thrilled to see real-life movie stars Guy Dexter (Dominic West) and Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock) in person. The Gambler, the film that’s to be shot at Downton, is a silent film, but production is halted because of the growing success of “talkies.” The Downton staff and Lady Mary work together to help the crew and the actors adapt to this brand new era.
Universal Pictures, Focus Features
In a time when beloved franchises and characters are endlessly trotted out in an effort to milk nostalgia for money, fans rightfully questioned the announcement of Downton Abbey: A New Era. Fortunately for them, all the charm of the original series is on full display in this film. Quite simply, the movie is a nice time. The stakes in the plot are low, the costumes are delightful, and there’s a clear appreciation for the hallowed halls of Downton.
Most surprising is how well the film works for audiences unfamiliar with the series. Downton Abbey: A New Era finds a way to stand on its own without a heavy reliance on the stories that came before. Some scenes won’t hold as much meaning for new viewers as they will for fervent fans, but those are rare. There’s a moment in the third act that transcends the characters, and it will pull on the heartstrings no matter how familiar the audience is with the world of Downton. It’s a testament to the inimitable acting prowess of Maggie Smith and her ability to control the room. Even when she’s cooped up in bed, she delivers her lines with a commanding presence.
Downton Abbey: A New Era feels like a warm, cozy blanket on a rainy day. It’s tried and true, exactly what audiences need it to be. Nothing more, nothing less.
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