Our favorite Brits are Back in Downton Abbey: The New Era
by Kathia Woods
Our favorite Brits are back as in Downton Abbey: The New Era. There is something about seeing rich British people with their noble ways and dedication to aristocracy that keeps us intrigued.
Julian Fellowes once again is at the helm as we navigate the latest saga of the Crawley’s. This time a film crew is coming to Downton, and we learn a little more about the matriarch of the family Dowager Countess Grantham herself in Downton Abbey: The New Era. We also finally get our ending to this group of characters that have so lovingly snuck themselves into our lives.
A lot of information gets jammed into this film but it's still a fun ride. The family was first introduced to us every Sunday via the hit show Downton Abbey on PBS. We finished that chapter with the Crawley’s’ entering the roaring twenties and Edith finally getting her happy ending. In this new outing the family is at the end of the 20’s. This film was directed by Simon Curtis who does a great job of introducing new themes while still giving us the finery we crave.
The key to this film is happy endings. It begins with the wedding of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton). This gives us an opportunity to see all our faves decked out in their Sunday finest.
It wouldn’t be Downton if there wasn’t some drama amidst. A British film company comes to Downtown to film a movie. Hollywood is invading the castle which immediately puts the Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) on edge. The reality is that the estate could use the money to tend to the mending of the roof. Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) is in charge now and she sees to it that the film crew gets to come to the estate so that the roof can finally be fixed.
The fun plot line comes via our feisty Countess Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith). She has inherited a villa in France of all places. It seems that she had a romance.
So, off the brits are to engage their European opposites. Robert and Cora go see about this inheritance along with some of the family and servants in tow to see said villa. Carson (Jim Carter) is not at all impressed with the French.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, a stunning movie star, Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock), who happens to be Cockney, arrives. She spreads terror wherever she goes. The man in charge of this adventure, director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), is smitten with Lady Mary, which causes some friction. The film's male lead turns out to be an American who is charming. Guy Dexter (Dominic West) is sympathetic and has a crush on one of the staff members.
The staff is overjoyed at the prospect of working on a film and getting to wait on movie stars.
The movie soon hits a glitch as talkies are now the range and the most likely to lose their funding. One distinguishing feature of a Fellow's work is that the women are not wilting flowers. Violet is one of the most endearing and entertaining characters on Downton Abbey. Some of the best scenes were her weekly sparring matches with Isobel (Penelope Wilton). Mary progressed from a spoiled bra to a thoughtful adult.
Violets, despite her stern demeanor, is a woman who cares about her family's legacy and thus bequests the villa to Sybbie (Fifi Hart). She desires that she, like the other grandchildren, have an estate.
It was also entertaining to see Mary have more fun and show some flaws in her armor in this film. She is less confident in her personal life for the first time and relies on her family and the servants to get her through this film endeavor.
Even Edith has stopped whining now that she has found her happily ever after and is willing to resume her journalism career.
The New Era is a love letter to all the devoted fans who tune in every Sunday. We get to wave goodbye to the Crawley’s. Most importantly, some of our most beloved servants find love.
Downton Abbey: The New Era is out in theaters this Friday May the 20th everywhere