Duchess, The

PG-13 | 1hr 45min | Drama
Produced by Michael Kuhn, Gabrielle Tana
Written by Jeffery Hatcher
Directed by Saul Dibb
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Keira Knightley, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper
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I looked forward to seeing this movie because I enjoy historical dramas. Although the costumes etc., were well done, overall the movie was dry and rather pointless. It just showed her consistently being treated poorly by her husband, but it doesn't offset this by showing her achievements, etc. Her only achievement seemed to be her socialite status. Don't waste your time.

The Duchess, directed by Saul Dibb, is a very beautiful movie, with scenery that is almost more enthralling than the acting itself. Kiera Knightly shines as Georgiana the Duchess, the acting is superb but it is rather hard to feel sorry for someone that leads such a soap opera style life. Especially when they are surrounded by such opulence. Ralph Fiennes is always a great actor and he delivers here. His dark, brooding character is both cruel and sort of misunderstood. Charlotte Rampling also does a wonderful job, and her character’s dilemma is believable and still likable. The cast in general did a wonderful job and were a pleasure to watch. And though the message and wit of the movie try to go deeper it is bogged down by fluff and silliness.

Although if you like period dramas you will enjoy this movie, it is very well done and does tug at your emotions on occasion. I could definitely watch it again just for the costumes and wigs, those were great. The storyline wasn’t that amazing but the performances were very watchable so the plot can be over looked a bit.

But I liked this movie and think you should give it a chance, its visually very appealing and is well acted, and I think the period is probably well portrayed also. If you’re looking for swashbuckling action this is not the movie for you but with a name like the Duchess you really couldn’t have been expecting that anyways.

I really dug this movie alot. Didn't expect to, but Keira Knightley is seriously fascinating to watch. The chemistry between her and the kid playing Charles Grey, Dominic Cooper?, was like Old Hollywood. Excellent production design, costumes, story, music, actors, direction, the whole package, great story-telling, very well done. Ralph Fiennes is an excellent d*** in this film. I'm going back to see this again before it leaves the theatres.