In a similar vein to how John Wayne is synonymous with Westerns, Keira Knightley has built her reputation by starring in period pieces. She appears to play these roles with the ease that might elude other, less talented or fortunate actors. Knightley's talent can be observed even in playing the larger-than-life real personality that is the protagonist of The Duchess, a 2008 biopic directed by Saul Dibb.
In the film, Knightley portrays Georgiana Cavendish, a young and strikingly beautiful noblewoman who becomes the toast of British high society in late 18th Century. Her rise to prominence is attributed not only to her lineage—being part of the influential Spencer family—but also to her marriage to Henry Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, played by Ralph Fiennes. Initially, this union seems to resolve all financial concerns for Georgiana and her family. However, married as a teenager, she soon discovers that her husband is emotionally distant and lacks charisma. His singular focus on producing a male heir exacerbates the strain in their relationship, particularly as Georgiana struggles with her own perceived inadequacies in fulfilling this expectation. To escape her stifling domestic life, she immerses herself in high society, becoming a fashion icon and engaging in social causes. Her involvement with the Whig Party and an affair with its rising star, young politician Charles Grey (played by Dominic Cooper), further complicates her existence. This tumultuous journey is compounded by the humiliation of her husband's infidelities, including his affair with her closest friend, Lady Elizabeth "Bess" Foster (played by Hayley Atwell), who lives under the same roof as them.
The Duchess exemplifies the quintessential British period drama for which the country is renowned. The film is meticulously crafted, featuring picturesque locations that reflect authentic 18th-century architecture. The attention to detail extends to props and costumes, which earned an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. This dedication to authenticity enhances the viewing experience, immersing audiences in the opulence and constraints of Georgiana's world.
However, amidst the plethora of period dramas produced in Britain, there is always a pressing need for films to distinguish themselves. The producers of The Duchess, based on the book by Amanda Foreman, cleverly link Georgiana's character to that of her distant relative, Diana, Princess of Wales. The screenplay—crafted by Dibb alongside Jeffrey Hatcher and Anders Thomas Jensen—explores parallels between these two women separated by two centuries yet united by their experiences as fashion icons and public figures trapped in tumultuous personal lives marked by infidelity and scandal.
Knightley’s performance is undeniably compelling; she brings an intensity and nuance to Georgiana that captivates viewers. Her ability to convey both strength and vulnerability allows audiences to empathise deeply with her character's plight.
Unfortunately, this strong performance contrasts sharply with those of some supporting cast members. Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of Henry Cavendish lacks the necessary chemistry with Knightley; while he possesses undeniable talent and charisma, his performance feels somewhat muted. Similarly, Dominic Cooper's role as Charles Grey does not leave a lasting impression despite his character's significance in Georgiana's life. Hayley Atwell's energetic portrayal of Bess fails to adequately capture the complexities of their evolving relationship within this unconventional love triangle.
Whether or not Keira Knightley saw Georgiana and 18th Century Diana, she played this role with gusto, delivering a strong performance. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of the cast, most notably Ralph Fiennes, who, despite obvious talent and charisma, lacks chemistry with Knightley, and the same can be said for young Dominic Cooper. Their performances, although competent, are not particularly memorable, while Hayley Atwell, despite her energy, cannot properly depict the strange relationship that evolves into a menage a trois.
The Duchess is competently made, but is limited both by the desire to pander to modern "politically correct" sentiments by anachronistically portraying Georgiana as some kind of proto-feminist heroine and the unwillingness to risk problematic MPAA ratings by exploring the sexual aspects of the protagonist's unusual relationships.
In the end, it is almost entirely carried by Keira Knightley's shoulders who does a solid job and raises the film above mediocrity, but the general impression is still rather underwhelming in comparison with other British period dramas or biopics.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9