Keira Knightley is The Duchess - Film Review
Costume Drama Set in the Eighteenth Century
Apr 8, 2009
A costume drama set at the end of the eighteenth century, The Duchess is the story of the acclaimed socialite Georgiana Spencer (played by Keira Knightley). It is mainly based on her marriage to the older William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes).
Ahead of Her Time
As one watches the film, they are almost totally taken by the story of this person who had a strong mind; was very smart and political. As the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana is one of the most celebrated beings in London. The people watch her to see what she wears, how she speaks, and who she hangs out with.
It was obvious that Georgina's ideas were way ahead of her time. Lady Spencer (Charlotte Rampling) encourages her daughter to accept a proposal the considerably older Duke of Devonshire. The teenage Georgina expects love in her marriage, but the Duke’s sole motivation for marrying was to produce a male heir, and despite Georgiana’s beauty, their sex life is mechanical and their romance nonexistent. Her personality is squashed by society of the day and her husband. The Duke is socially awkward and monosyllabic. Fiennes is impressive as a cold, repressed man, constrained by the traditions of his age. He reveals vulnerability and sadness behind the character's cruel facade, or is he just manipulative? Perhaps, William isn’t so much a villain as he is a product of his upbringing.
When G, as William calls her, fails to immediately produce a son, things go from civil to resentful. He later starts an affair with her best friend, Bess (Hayley Atwell), who had moved in with. them—and never left. Georgiana herself has a passionate but doomed affair with Earl Grey (Dominic Cooper) and is forced to give up her love child by him. It seemed it was one scandal after another in the Devonshire household. It was amazing to see the servants bear silent witness to all these episodes.
Historical Significance
Although it is a somewhat glossed over version of the duchess' story, this film has historical significance in that it highlights the role of women in the eighteenth century. On the other hand, The Duchess is a very contemporary tale of fame, notoriety and the search for love. The costumes and etiquette featured in period drama also provide a point of interest for many. The Duchess was justifiably the Academy Award winner for Best Achievement in Costume Design.
Another Spencer Woman
Although there has been protest from the leading actress about claims of similarities between Georgina and Diana, Princess of Wales' lives; one cannot help making comparisons - especially when a subtitle at the beginning mentions the names Althorp and Spencer. Diana is a distant niece of Georgina. One can guess that even now young aristocratic women are groomed to marry well, at least materially.
Interestingly, there is a painting of Georgiana Cavendish depicted as the the goddess Diana.
This film is worth watching. It is rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and thematic material.
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