The Duchess Dvd

One of my fav films of last year is to be released on dvd next month! So I though I'd re publish my review that U magazine printed wayyyy bac then...here goes....

For those of you who know me on a personal level, you'l know that ive been excited about this film for some time now, well since I first saw the trailer for it at a 'Chronicles Of Narnia' showing! Now im always a little worried when im really looking forward to a film...I think to myself...Is it going to be everything I wanted? Or is it going to let me down? In this case...It was everything I wanted...and more!
Again, for those of you who know me, you'l know that im a Keira Knightley fan....so again...I had had hoped she wouldnt let me down, she didnt!
The Duchess is based on a true story...and i must admit, a true story, has me at hello. It is set in the late 1700s and stars Keira Knightley as Georgiana Spencer (Princess Diana's great-great-great-great aunt), who's married off to the wealthy Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes) while still a teenager ( We first meet the gorgeous Georgiana at the age of 17) Georgiana Spencer was the original "It Girl." Like her direct ancestor Princess Diana, she was ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she proved that she could out-gamble, out-drink and outwit most of the men who surrounded her. She helped bring changes to England as a voice of reason.
However, Georgiana soon discovers that the Duke is only interested in using her to produce a male heir and that she's expected to be a mother to his secret love child and put up with him sleeping around. As the years pass Georgiana gives birth to two daughters but no sons, which only drives the Duke and Duchess further apart. The Duke is no dark villain: he's just a dull sex maniac with little chat.With a mother of her own who guides her through life and is set in her ways, Georgiana has to come to terms with the Dukes behaviour...untill he commits the ultimate betrayal, sleeping with her best friend, well infact her only true friend and lodger , Lady Foster (Bess)! She and Bess, at one point even share somewhat of a girl on girl moment! Which, along with other scenes, I did think was a bit much for a film with a 12A rating. We see Bess as an honest friend with marriage troubles that Georgiana takes under her wing. We then see her as a ruthless opportunist, then loyal friend again, as the scandalous third party in Devonshire House

To quote a line from the film 'The Duke is the only man in England not in love with his wife' so its not long until Georgiana develops a love interest of her own, in the form of childhood friend Earl Charles Grey, a man set to be Prime Minster. Georgiana has learnt to live with both the Duke and his mistress playing away in her home, under her nose. Would the duke be as understanding if the tables were turned? Georgiana has yet to face even more heartache...
The script is superb, subtly showing comparisons between the lives of Georgiana and Princess Diana. Georgiana was pursued by the 18th century equivalent of the paparazzi (i.e. sketch artists). And just like the Princess once said herself... "There were three people in the marriage". Which has been cleverly added to the film posters.Keira Knightley is excellent, delivering several stinging lines and putting all her frock-wearing, lip-quivering skills to good use in this period drama, the type of role that has proved very popular with her in the past .Ralph Fiennes plays the Duke amazingly. His "Please put Her Grace's hair out" when his wife's wig catches alight at a party is perfectly done. Dominic Cooper as Earl Grey, lover of Georgiana, doesn't persuade as a future PM - but then perhaps politicians were a lot sexier in those days
The film shows some powerfully emotional scenes – the moment when Georgiana discovers Bess' betrayal is particularly heartbreaking. The film itself is at times a little slow moving, but i didnt care, I loved every minute. All in all, it was everything I wanted in a film! Im rating it 4 and a half stars. I suggest if your a girl, take one of your best mates, like i did, its always more fun that way.