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THE DUCHESS

With Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell

Written by Jeffrey Hatcher & Anders Thomas Jensen (based on the book Georgina: Duchess Of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman)
Directed by Saul Dibb

For the most part we usually assume that the wealthy upper classes of several centuries ago had very few cares in the world - dressing up, living in opulence and dying with smiles on their powdered faces… Not always. This visually stunning period piece focuses on Georgina Spencer, born in the mid-1700s (and a branch of Lady Diana’s family tree) who married the wealthy Duke of Devonshire (with her mother as the go-between). As a young, innocent idealistic girl she had no idea what she was in for. In stead of a fairytale life of love and luster, the latter became her outgoing image while within her matrimonial agreement love was the last thing on the agenda. The Duke’s only aim was to father a male heir… and after several baby girls, their relationship did not improve, even less so with his un-camouflaged affairs. But as a society darling she tried to hold her head up high, and fell in love with a young politician (with his eye on higher office).
One cannot help but see parallels between this arranged marriage and that of Diana and Charles...
As one would come to expect, the costumes, wigs / hair & make-up is quite something, here managed by Michael O’Connor, Jan Archibald and Daniel Phillips respectively.

4 / B
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B
- C



6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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