Downton ( Spoilers)

 

 I felt like a Sunday afternoon film today.
Nothing too taxing.
Just something to wash over me .
It had to be Downton Abbey a new Era .
Now watching Downton is a bit like attending a works reunion or a night out with old school mates. 
You are visiting with people that you like but you haven’t really got enough time to talk to.
24 main characters within a two hour storyline? 
Therefore everything plot line is hurried and save for a couple of scenes, most of the pathos and drama is lost.
It must be slightly annoying for some to watch their favourite characters, for instance  Anna, Mr Bates and Danka who just stand around muttering the odd word and I had to smile at Imelda Staunton who popped up in three scenes only to say something like I need a cup of coffee and I’m off to a sleep before exiting stage left.

But it’s very silly and lovely to look at , what with Downton being used as the  backdrop for a cinema shoot as most of the toffs relocate to the south of France to take possession of a villa left to Dowager some seventy years previously.
And in good fairy tale style all the romantic loose ends are tied up with Baxter, Mosely, Mrs Padmore and 
Barrow finding happier endings.

Of course it is Maggie Smith’s swan song as the wisecracking Lady Dowager and rather movingly her final scene with the glorious Penelope Wilton ( her nemesis for all of the tv series ) is sweet and unhurried and incredibly poignant 
Take your tissues

It was sunny in Chester when I left the cinema and it was nice to sit in the sun on Northgate street and listen to a busker playing a Spanish guitar


I fell asleep 

44 comments:

  1. Barbara Anne5:33 pm

    Love your reviews of books and movies! It sounds like a lovely day. How perfect. Well, unless you fell asleep on public on Northgate street!

    Hugs!

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  2. I haven't had anything to do with Downton Abbey since Lady Mary had that bedroom romp with the foreign gentleman and then, hypocrite that she is, played pure as the driven snow and married Matthew. Can't stand her. Stopped watching.

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    Replies
    1. ROFLMAO! Took the words right out of my mouth.

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    2. I always liked Mary’s character, she’s flawed

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    3. You know, it started feeling very 'contrived'. Poor Edith and her little girl. The final straw was Anna being accused of murder. I lost all interest.

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    4. I got so fed up with Anna and Mr. Bates and all their melodramatic drivel! They ended up being my least favorite characters. But Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton are my favorites and had all the best lines. I like Barrow quite a bit, too. I'll be seeing the movie as soon as it's released over on this side of the pond! It's just pure escapism!

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    5. Bates just looked bloated and Anna smiled too much in this version Jennifer ..smith and wilton’s final scene was incredibly moving and worth seeing the film x

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    6. Debby, there was too many plots running at once

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  3. Anonymous5:37 pm

    I agree with your opinion of the film and I enjoyed it very much. It was a gentle film and very relaxing to watch. Catriona

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    Replies
    1. It was light..and useful for getting older covid fearful people back inside cinemas

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  4. I saw it and enjoyed to a point { Maggie Smiths lines, beautiful South of France scenery and shed a tear } but felt that Julian Fellowes was squeezing the last drop of life out of it and he ripped off Singing in the Rain storyline ! ...... but, saying all that, I still enjoyed it and was worth seeing ! XXXX

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    Replies
    1. Yes I noticed the blatant plagiarism . Fellows has stolen many film storylines for the series too…Mrs Miniver not withstanding

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  5. Julian Fellowes opened a Garden Fete where my dogs entered the dog completion-He stood by the .Pimms. tent x

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    Replies
    1. Was he drinking pimms?

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    2. No I didn't see him drinking-He stood by the Pimms canopy in front of the Vicarage speaking through a microphone-I was browsing the book stall and recognised his voice surprised as I didn't know he would be there x

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    3. At least he supported the day

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  6. I love Downton Abbey, but I'm fearful that this will be a bit of a disappointment. Mind you, I like looking at the fashions and decor as much as the story lines, so maybe it won't be a complete washout! A snooze in the sun sounds wonderful. Hope you didn't snore or dribble though! xx

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  7. Traveller8:06 pm

    And to think that the film crew were just up the road from me almost exactly one year ago! Much excitement and traffic

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    1. Did u see any of the cast

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    2. Traveller8:44 pm

      Yes, lots of them. My partner was the first contact with the production team as they saw some of his aerial shots of the location on line. Ironically the first day of the shooting there was a huge drone flying over our back garden.

      It was incredible to see how many people were needed for what I understand is a few minutes in the film….haven’t seen it yet.

      The production team had a COVID testing tent and all the extras we tested each day.

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    3. Interesting , I noted in one scene when the local villagers and staff lined the drive of the great house , just how few there were… perhaps covid restrictions

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    4. Traveller7:57 am

      The filming that was up the road from me was not socially distanced, hence tested everyone each day. It will be interesting to time the scenes shot here and compare to the time the full crew was here. Three full days.

      A lot of excitement and traffic for what is usually a small sleepy village. It was a good injection of money for the village and the surrounding area.

      I wonder how much money Highclere has earned from the Downton franchise.

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  8. I have never seen any of the Downton Abbey shows.
    Glad you enjoyed it!

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  9. Anonymous9:44 pm

    What could be nicer than falling asleep on a warm afternoon in the sun. x

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    Replies
    1. On a bench in full view of hundreds lol

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    2. Don't tell me that you've found something nicer than your hot shower and heated towels already!

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  10. I was distracted by the tans they had before they went to France. Still it felt like visiting old friends and you wanted more time with them.

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  11. You enjoyed your day and that's important.

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  12. Anonymous11:35 pm

    Opens here this weekend, probably going to see it

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  13. I've never seen any of it, but have seen trailers for the film and I love the music :)

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  14. I love listening to a Spanish guitar. What talent . Napping in the sun... a dog's life you have sir.

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  15. My wife went to see the same film yesterday afternoon. She and her friend went because the forecast said rain, in fact it was very hot all afternoon.

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  16. I look forward to seeing it. For the fashions and the beautiful backdrop mostly, and because it sounds like a nice way to spend an afternoon.
    How lovely to doze in the sun to the sound of a Spanish guitar.

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  17. Anonymous7:55 am

    I never got the point of Downtown Abbey. Eastenders in better dresses and bigger hats. And just like Walford, absolutely no relation to real life.

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    Replies
    1. Do you not x

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    2. Anonymous6:18 pm

      Anon's comment wasn't meant for you flis.

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    3. The reason I commented as I did was anons comment appeared dismissive- negative to me and not nice x

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  18. We have just ploughed our way through the 50 originals back to back, 20 years after they were made. Strangely enjoyable.

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