Iffy for 15+
Period drama delves into some heavy themes.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although this serious period drama stars Keira Knightley, it's not all that likely to appeal to teens since it explores the inner workings of a very flawed marriage -- one that's marred by infidelity and disloyalty and complicated by a menage a trois. There's an upsetting scene in which a man forces himself on a woman, as well as some nudity and passionate embracing. Also expect plenty of gambling and drinking, mostly at joyous events though sometimes during times of despair. At one point, a main character imbibes so much that she upends a chandelier and accidentally sets fire to her wig.
- Families can talk about what it was like to be a woman during the time in which the movie takes place. How much power did women have in the 1700s? Is the arrangement that the duchess suggests to her husband a fair one? The film depicts a number of revolutions under way, including the beginnings of the women's movement. Do you think it's all historically accurate? How could you find out? Also, do you think this drama is any different from other period dramas in feel or look? How so?
What to watch for
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Violence: A man forces himself on a woman in a brutal scene, though there's no blood or injury. She's clearly affected by it and appears shell shocked afterward. Some threats are made between characters, there's some yelling, and a little boy is shown handling a firearm. Some discussion of wife-beating after a woman is shown with bruises on her skin.
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Sex: Some scenes of couplings/simulated sex in which both men and women are nude, though viewers don't see genitalia. Additional scenes hint at sex by training the camera on a door, behind which there's much moaning and rustling. A woman caresses another woman. There's also an unusual relationship in which two women share a man. Briefly, a woman is sighted leaving a man's bedroom, her naked backside showing.
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Language: Not an issue
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Lots of drinking, mostly at social events. Some characters drink to excess.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
LOTS OF FLASH OVER MODERATE SUBSTANCE. GRADE: B-MINUS by MOVIES REVIEWER
Last night, I attended the advance press screening of this sumptuous movie-adaptation of Amanda Foreman's biographical novel of the charismatic Duchess of Devonshire, Lady Georgiana Spencer Cavendish(an ancestress of the late Princess Diana).
The costumes and sets were gorgeous painstakingly handsomely lush detailed.
The wigs - especially - will blow you over.
All-in-all, the above were visually dazzling!
The superb Oscar-worthy acting was delivered by Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling. Kudos to the rest of the cast.
However, the story/plot suffered from the distraction of a love-triangle(quadrangle?) - and gave us few/little insights as to why her Ladyship was a distinguished influential aristocrat of her time. This is supposed to be a historical drama! The movie did fleetingly touch on politics, sexism/feminism, and importance of family and friendship.
Verdict:
If you are a fan of period dramas and love stories, this movie will enthrall you.
1
Pathetic! by rlreeve
What a missed opportunity to tell the story of an intriguing and powerful woman! Instead of a balanced, well-rounded interesting picture, all we get is 2 hours of Ms. Knightly's collagen lips and vacant eyes. She represents the Duchess of Devonshire as a skinny, whiny victim, which she most certainly was not. She was a consummate politician of her age who moved in the highest circles of British government, as well as an intimate friend of the Prince of Wales and Prime Ministers. She also had feet of clay in the form of an addiction to gambling and the consequent crippling debts. None of this was in the pathetic movie. And there is no evidence her hair was ever on fire -- why was it deemed necessary to add this silly device (among others)? Don't waste your money if you like quality films!
4
The Dutchess by luvagoodshow
This was a very interesting movie. The British countryside was beautiful, the costumes spectacular and the acting superb. It was, however, sad to see the many similarities between the lives of the Dutchess of Devonshire and the Princess of Wales. Both women were so very unhappy in the lives they were forced to live. One would hope that times would have improved.
I saw this film on a "Ladies Day Out" and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know if our husbands would have enjoyed it as much as we did. If you enjoy period films, and are interested in all things royal, you will enjoy this film.
4
Wins by a chin by mattblack
Actually liked The Duchess more than I thought I would. I like a costume drama but wasn't expecting to like Keira Knightly with her jutting chin and flailing arms but she actually pulled it off with some grace and genuine emotion under all those wigs. Ralph Fiennes was particularly good as the uptight Duke. Hard to beat the beautiful locations as well. I did feel they could have cut a bit out of it, there were moments when it lagged.
3
Great performances but relentlessly depressing. by zuz211
Good: Kiera Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, along with the supporting actors, give excellent performances. Also, from what I know of the period, the film was pretty accurate. I loved that, for example, Georgiana was initially happy to learn of her engagement to the duke, unlike the cliched stories where women anachronistically protest against arranged marriages. Also, the costumes were gorgeous.
So/so: I know it's based on a true story, but the film is just one horrible thing after another happening to this woman. I won't say too much, but the duchess never gets a break. When something good does happen to her, it gets snatched away by her nasty husband. Granted, this is realistic, which is one of the film's strengths - but it left me feeling depressed and outraged. The humor present near the beginning soon dies in favor of one very bleak picture. A Jane Austen film this is not, so if that is what you are looking for, don't go. Otherwise powerful even if it is bleak.
4
The Dutchess by avnyc
Very good cinematography. The acting was good overall
5
Loved It by entertainme654654
From my research, this is Princess Diana's great, great, great, great aunt (g, g, g grandfather John Spencer's sister). Very ironic the similarities of Georgiana and Diana (except for one thing compared to Diana but I don't want to give it away). Movie is almost to fact, except her lover is around 10 years younger than she (look up prime minister of England 1830) so when she was 17 he was 7 so he would not have been a teenage friend?!!!See movie first, then do research on the family tree, it is from Duchess G that Sarah Ferguson's family line came from, which is VERY interesting.Movie starts at Althorpe (Spencer home) then other places in England.If you are taking your children, the nudity scene is a brief 5 seconds (which this implicates what we suspect, we may have questioned what happened if was clothing on) and then one other scene is someone being "forced upon", which dress does remain on (I don't want to tell you which character it happens to). I will be buying the DVD.
5
Costumes sure to be nominated at Oscar time by swissmiss150
If you log on to the movie's official web site, click on 'costumes' for detailed looks at some of the outfits.
The credits at the end had a long list of costumers and wig makers. Amazing.
Sets very nice - a number of historic homes were filmed for the movie.
I plan to read the book on which this movie was based; it was published about ten years ago.
This is great if you are a British history buff or for anyone who loves period films.
5
The Duchess by jennymom
Very good movie -- interesting plot and perfectly cast.
4
?THE DUCHESS? ? DUKE-ING it out with Disinterested and Illicit Lovers = by jimchudnow
= [Based on an advance preview] Here?s still another film ?based? on a true story-- this about a distant 18th Century relative of Princess Diana (Spencer). KEIRA KNIGHTLEY marries a highly self-absorbed Duke (RALPH FIENNES) whose main interests are his DOGS & having her produce a male heir. She doesn?t do what he wants, so he treats her far WORSE than his dogs &, in the midst of her becoming a fashionista & crowd favorite, she dabbles in (& with) politicians (such as DOMINIC COOPER) after her hubby takes up with other women (including HAYLEY ATWELL). I?ve always found it difficult to relate to the super-rich; so, while I like seeing ?SPUNKY? people who deflate the stuffed-shirts around them & fight the narrow ?expectations? of others (as is the case here), & while the ACTING is generally well-done & the story not a boring morass of clichés, I find it hard to get really super-enthused about this overall effort: it?s generally interesting & worth seeing, but nothing very special.