DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA | MOVIE REVIEW | NORTHLANDS

Entertainment

11 May 2022

Harry Hadden-Paton stars as Bertie Pelham, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Smith and Allen Leech as Tom Branson in DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era, a Focus Features release. ..Credit: Ben Blackall / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC..

 

After two years Director Julian Fellowes once again has brought our favourite family to the big screen, and to say I was excited about the release of the second Downton Abbey Movie is an understatement and it did not disappoint.

 

Picking up from the first film, the family are thrown when the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) announces that she has inherited a beautiful villa in the French Rivera from a man who was obviously quite taken with the Dowager when she was younger. The family, particularly her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville), are no doubt surprised by this sudden mystery and travel to France to view the villa and meet with the man’s son (Jonathan Zaccaï).

 

 

Penelope Wilton stars as Isobel Merton and Maggie Smith as Violet Grantham in DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era, a Focus Features release. ..Credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features, LLC..

 

Meanwhile back at the estate, Mary (Michelle Dockery) stays behind to oversee a movie production that has made Downton its set. The excitement of the film crew and movie stars in the house sends the Downton staff into a tizz as the modern world of cinema comes to the old-fashioned household. A couple of romantic connections develop between the Downton staff and film crew, but my lips are sealed.

 

The cast has all your favourites and as always, the Dowager Countess is full of sharp witty comebacks and wise advice for the family. The film gives closure to many of the character’s storylines but also introduces new twists for firm favourites like Cora (Elizabeth McGovern).

 

Laura Haddock stars as Myrna Dalgleish and Michael Fox as Andy in DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era, a Focus Features release. ..Credit: Ben Blackall / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC..

 

Along with the beautiful sweeping scenes set on the Downton estate and at the villa in the French Rivera; the musical score, costumes and wardrobe make it a truly swoon-worthy visual feast. After two tumultuous years of a global pandemic, it was heart-warming and comforting to be back with the beloved Downton family experiencing some fun situations that will make long-time fans smile, laugh and cry.  Highly recommend but I am a huge fan so just a bit biased.

 

Check times & dates for Hoyts HERE, then head to Northlands for a delightful family movie to go with your popcorn.