There is a certain amount of respect we owe to things that are successful. This type of respect doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, but there is a magic to continuing something that a lot of people like. It appears that enough people like Downton Abbey that the television series has spawned a second feature film entitled Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Downton Abbey, the television show which originally aired on PBS in the United States, was pretty good. It ran for six seasons, and became something of a sensation. Perhaps not Game of Thrones-level hype, but close. Downton Abbey featured a dynamic cast of characters, primarily focused on contrasting the lives of a highborn British family living in a grand mansion, and the servants who live below. Taking place in the late 1900s and continuing to the 1920s, a point of interest for many was viewing character reactions to changing times and new technologies. Dazzling setpieces and costumes were also a plus.
In the era of reboots and franchises, it’s unsurprising that studios are looking to television for content. Both The Sopranos and Breaking Bad premiered films within the last five years. It’s also not the first television show targeted at women to make the jump to movie theaters — think Sex and the City, but it is unfortunate that Downton Abbey felt the need to do so.
The first film — simply called Downton Abbey — was fun, if frivolous. There was something heartening about seeing the characters the steady viewer has come to love on the big screen, and the plot centered around the queen’s visit felt inline with the television show. Unfortunately, Downton Abbey: A New Era cannot even meet these low standards, and tarnishes the show’s legacy in the process.
To be completely fair, the second Downton film does not skimp on the scenery. The views of the South of France are astonishing; and when the film provides nothing else, the viewer can at least take solace in planning a dream vacation. However, Downton Abbey: A New Era is produced by Carnival Films, a subsidiary of the same company that provides Carnival Luxury cruises; so there’s a hint of capitalistic exhaustion that haunts even the most beautiful scenes.
Downton Abbey: A New Era has a loose narrative with low stakes, to the point that the viewer may find little to care about. The ever-charming Hugh Dancy is given a substantial role as a film director, and executes it well, despite the character having little to no lasting purpose. Maggie Smith as the dowager countess is also reliable with her now famous zingers. Other performers like Michelle Dockery and Hugh Bonneville are pleasant in their roles, but certainly did better work in the television show.
Julian Fellows, both the television show’s creator and the writer of both films, has proved himself worthy of acclaim via the TV show. His latest project, HBO’s The Gilded Age is decent and undoubtedly more interesting than A New Era. It seem as though Fellows is either looking for a cash grab or refusing to let go of beloved characters, with the only ending for his characters being marriage and/or partnership. The show sees many weddings and romances, many of which are enjoyable, but eventually the idea gets a bit old. The television show was not afraid to explore the complexities of the time and let the characters make mistakes. Downton Abbey: A New Era is a whitewashed version of the show’s former glory at best.
Rating: 2.5/5
Even so, the success of the property is pretty amazing. A world of superheroes and explosions occasionally needs stories of families making it work in the 1910s, and Downton Abbey the franchise is evidence of that. Downton Abbey: A New Era is significant for its means of achieving popularity, but curious parties would be better off rewatching old episodes than partaking in the new development.
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