Review of The Duchess (2008) by Spangle — 14 Aug 2016
The Duchess can be a bit slow, but it is a very focused film featuring a stellar performance from Keira Knightley that is a feast for the eyes. With breathtaking costume design, production design, makeup, and hairstyling, The Duchess is a visual delight.
Beyond this, it is a very solidly crafted film with a tight plot that remains focused on the joy, pain, anguish of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. In this role, Knightley is a real highlight reel with a terrifically nuanced performance that really captures the essence of England's "it girl" of the late 1700s.
She really radiates charisma in this film and attracts the eyes, as is appropriate. Ralph Fiennes also turns in a good performance here as her manipulative and cruel husband. Overall, The Duchess hits the breaks more than it should, but does a fantastic job crafting a portrait of this beloved figure.
This review of The Duchess (2008) was written by Spangle on 14 Aug 2016.
The Duchess has generally received positive reviews.
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