Downton Abbey: A New Era – Film Review
After the success of the first Downton Abbey movie in 2019, it was hardly a surprise when Julian Fellowes decided to make another one, A New Era.
This sequel picks up several months after the end of the first film. Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) has inherited a villa in the south of France and she wants her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) to visit the villa and meet with the French residents who have to give it up. Naturally, plenty of the others come along for the ride, including Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Bertie (Harry Hadden-Paton), Tom (Allen Leech) and Lucy (Tuppence Middleton), and trusty butler Carson (Jim Carter).
Elsewhere, a production company asks to film their new movie at Downton Abbey and the Crawleys agree as it will pay for repairs to the estate. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) helps oversee the production, which is switched from a silent film to a talkie midway through. This causes some problems with leading lady Myrna Dalgliesh (Laura Haddock), who doesn’t have the voice for talkies (if you’ve seen Singin’ in the Rain this might sound familiar).
To set itself apart from the series, the films have to centre themselves around events. The first film had one – the royal visit – and this sequel obviously had to go one better and revolve around two. The most exciting of the two is easily the filmmaking scenes. It was fascinating watching how they made films in the 1920s and seeing Myrna and her leading man Guy Dexter (Dominic West) perform. Also, all sorts of things go wrong with director Jack Barber’s (Hugh Dancy) production so Lady Mary and her staff offer to help them get the shoot done.
The South of France section isn’t quite as captivating but it is a stunning location and changes up the scenery. Plus, it offers the central mystery of the film and switching back and forth between the storylines keeps things moving and interesting.
Generally speaking, most stories need conflict to provide the drama. The conflict in Downton is in short supply or it is resolved very quickly so you aren’t too concerned about it. It’s all very pleasant and quaint and perhaps this is why the show is a comfort for many.
There are some moments of humour throughout, particularly with the stuffy Carson roasting in his suit in France, Myrna’s shocking voice, Violet’s acid-tongued barbs and the banter between the downstairs staff. The script is quite thin but the cast does their best to inject it with life, particularly the optimistic McGovern, the amusing Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) and Daisy (Sophie McShera), and the exciting newcomers.
The Downton Abbey films are aimed squarely at fans of the TV show and stay true to what made people love the series. There are plenty of lovely character developments to keep fans pleased, while one might have them reaching for the tissues. Fans of the show (which I’m not) will likely be satisfied with the story and thrilled to be reunited with their beloved characters. Perhaps this should be the last one though.
In cinemas Friday 29th April