When I saw the DVD of “The Duchess” selling in HMV Hong Kong, I was wondering how I could possibly miss a movie by Keira Knightley on a big screen in Singapore. We thought we did. So, Cynthia and I watched it on our way back from Hong Kong, inside the cabin of our favorite airline, SIA. Then we realized that “The Duchess” is now showing here exclusively in GV.
Some titles do take long to arrive.
I seldom read reviews by others – no disrespect to other reviewers – because I wish to form my own view. I do however check the aggregated score from time to time. And I welcome controversy views. Hence, I do pay attention to movies that are both loved and hated by many.
Since “The Duchess” is based on true (or historical) events, I think it is rather pointless to comment too much on the storyline. Or how the story could have ended in a better way. It is what it is: a series of scandals that involved the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey) the would-be Prime Minister of UK, and more. I wish to say that “The Duchess” is about one lady’s strength amidst the harsh reality of needing to produce a male heir, a non-existence love relationship, trapped within her own home, and more. But true story being as such, there is – in my opinion – no satisfactory triumph.
So I gave it some thoughts and to me, the take home message is that Every Decision has its Consequence. And working within this theme, I think “The Duchess” really shine in portraying how Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (played by Knightley) lived through the decisions made in such a male dominating environment more than 200 hundred years ago.
How civilization has advanced since then. It was procreation in the most contractual form. A man’s lifelong quest to foster male heirs and a woman’s lifelong commitment to care for her children. And in the mist of all these chaotic lust filled desire from the both sexes, how less complicated it would be if they had the various means of contraception in our today’s world.
The choice of Keira Knightley is good and she works well in a costume drama setting. What lovely accent she has. In “The Duchess”, she plays an innocent young girl, a mother, a wife to a man doesn’t know love, a lover, a friend betrayed, and more. If you stop and think, it is a pretty wide spectrum of emotion. She has done well, in my book. In contrary, Ralph Fiennes’s acting as the Duke is mostly being the same sternness and loveless towards his wife – as demanded by the plot. However, his performance is equally as good to watch.
“The Duchess” reminds me of “The Other Boleyn Girl” at times. Perhaps this one track desire to have a male heir. I am rather happy to live in 2009 in this part of the world where having a child – be it as a boy or a girl – is a blessing from the above.
8 replies on “The Duchess – Every Decision Has Its Consequence”
My last Kiera Knightly movie was Atonement on DVD, which I enjoyed very much. Maybe I will try to catch this.
Wow! Thanks for posting your thoughts on the movie. I do agree with you that Keira Knightley did a find job in a demanding role.
Your take on Ralph Fiennes is so different from mine.
I found Fiennes to be brilliant in the role. He showed the true flaws of the Duke, one of which is that he was so quiet and not a good conversationalist. I think it literally took patience and composure for Fiennes to force the long silences and pauses. And, I left the movie somewhat angry at actor Ralph Fiennes for forcing me to consider the Duke’s point of view and almost like him.
Also, I hope that everyone who likes the movie even a little will read the book by Amanda Foreman. The book has even more to offer. It is brilliant and compelling. It offers you historical and political facts, woven in with gossip and scandal, that makes for a wonderful read.
Darkspore – Since you love Kiera that much (still do?), you really should check this out 🙂
Kimberly Wilder – My apology for not making myself very clear on Fiennes’s performance. I meant to say that he too acted brilliantly despite the fact the the role itself is one-dimensional as demanded by the plot. The kind of stern and loveless kind of acting throughout as compares to the role of his wife. It is a contrast and they both have done well. I have made some fine tuning to my post to avoid the confusion.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will check out the author at my local library. Have a nice day!
Hi Wilf, I just watched the movie last nite and I must say… all these European aristocrats generally have very complicated love lives.
Could be the power struggle or perhaps it’s all those arranged marriages that caused all the drama in the marriage.
Adeline – Ya … so full of drama! Lol. Don’t think it is due to the arranged marriages. More due to the liberal culture since ancient times perhaps?
you veryyyy on!!! U even review a movie you watched on the plane 🙂
Kiat – Actually didn’t intend to write a review as we thought this show is (or was) no longer on the big screen. Since it is still showing, may as well ya?