What a frock
Ok there are going to be spoilers!
Downton Abbey - The Grand Finale is a fitting denouement to a well loved whimsical franchise.
It’s rubbish of course, padded and edited to an inch of its life, but after only two hours we have a happy and neat ending for over twenty characters, almost two dozen people we have got to love ( and hate) over fifteen years
Anna, ( Joanne Froggett, the nicest character on film ever)
Set in 1930, we delight in the fashionable deco age, with Lady Mary looking glorious in red and the family stunning in Ascot fashions. Edith Head would be suitably impressed here, she really would, for the visuals are stunning. Writer Julian Fellows takes the drama into an essay of change.
Lady Mary is about to take over Downton after divorce , much to the horror of her father. Carson and Mrs Patmore are retiring, lady Merton is running the local agricultural show, Cora’s brother has lost his sister’s inheritance, and Guy Dexter returns with lover Barrow , and Noel Coward in tow…
What fun
You can just see where every arc will go, save for the delightful Lady Edith , who, in the absence of Maggie Smith is suddenly transformed into a wonderfully arch and straight talking foil for the baddie of the piece , she and Penelope Wilton have been gifted all the best lines and it’s a joy to watch both of them .
You will cry real tears for the characters you have come to know so very well over the years…Edith and Mary’s sister scenes, Mrs Patmore with Mini me Daisy ,Anna’s goodbye to Mary oh lord it’s a sob fest)
Believe it or not, I've never seen even one episode of Downton Abbey. True.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Me either. Not a big tv viewer at all….always too much to do and busy to sit down. Not been to a movie in over 30 years either
DeleteI’ve never seen a single episode either! Maybe there are many more like us.
DeleteMe too, though I did see the first feature film - not the follow-up(s), now with no particular desire to catch them.
DeleteNor I.
Deleteweavinfool
No nor me. But I'm binge watching Yellowstone,(on Netflix) with all those cowboys 🤩
DeleteI have not watched it ever also gigi
DeleteI can't wait to see it! I love the costumes more than almost anything in the DA universe. Such fun.
ReplyDeleteYou have spoilt my visit to see it now
ReplyDeletethat is why John STARTED his post with the statement about spoilers. Geez- you have to find fault with everything don't you? sad, pathetic little troll
DeleteArsehole
Delete"Spoilers" what are they?
DeleteI love the series, but much like Sex in the City, it's time to stop beating the dead horse.
ReplyDeleteAnd they left on a high
DeleteI love Downton Abbey. We have all the DVD's and watch them, one episode a week, so they last almost a year. In fact, we're up to series 2 again, for the umpteenth time! I can't wait for the grand finale to be streamed. xx
ReplyDeleteI loved the clothes and cars and interiors. I agree that Anna was a very likeable character, unlike Mary!
ReplyDeleteI like Mary , she is what she is
DeleteSuch a shame Matthew Goode disappeared from Downton Abbey. Lady Mary’s men did not for last long.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it. The beginning of New Era was filmed a stones throw from me
ReplyDeleteJust returned home after seeing the grand finale. I wanted to cry at the end but didn't. My sister had joined me; never watched Downton Abbey; now inspired to watch it.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that when Anna was charged with murder in the series, I just was done. I loved it right up to that time but it all seemed to get a bit stale.
ReplyDeleteIt'll probably be years before I get to see this last movie, but see it will! Loved the series and the first movie (only one, right? till now). The storylines are good (though I stopped watching for awhile after the repulsive crime was committed; it was not the kind of thing I watched the show for, even if it did depict a probably all too common reality) but I love the women's dresses and the elegant structure of the spoken language.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen it, and I don't feel as if I've missed much. Not my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the series most at the very beginning and was always more interested in the lives of the staff. Am looking forward to seeing the final, especially the dialogue and setting. I agree with those who think it is time for it to finish now - on a high hopefully.
ReplyDeleteWatched the first episode and so irritated by the howling errors of etiquette I could never watch it again. Especially as Fellowes got it all so right in Gosforth Park. But the music is glorious.
ReplyDeleteNice way to spend a couple of hours. I'll wait for it to be shown on television (could be a long wait!)
ReplyDeleteI found the extremely plummy accents offputting - especially the blonde daughter's (Edith?) but Mary's was as bad. Shame as I love a period drama.
ReplyDeleteSounds delightful, I should go see it this week.
ReplyDeleteWe took a few guided tours when we were visiting your part of the world. As a "surprise" a tour guide took us to Bampton. It was a lovely gesture and a beautiful little village but I felt guilty thinking of all of my friends that are such D.A. fans. I tried a few times but couldn't get interested in the series.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed them all so am looking forward to this once it eventually reaches television.
ReplyDeleteI loved downtown Abbey,looked forward to it every week! And the opening music and the short dog walk.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen any of the episodes of Downtown Abbey. Glad you enjoyed it and had a nice outing. Also, I have never had a Scotch Egg! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to see this and hope to this week. I loved the series and while I wish it could go on forever, nothing can. So this sounds like a fine way to end it.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, thanks for stopping by Marmelade Gypsy! It's nice to "meet" you!
Lovely report on Downton John ! I can’t wait . Nothing like a bit of historical soap with fancy costumes ! It’s a joy to see you enjoying life again . XxBernie
ReplyDeleteShock, horror, I have never watched Downton Abbey, I tried once but I just couldn't get into it. I'm glad it all wrapped up nicely for you though.
ReplyDeleteI loved Gosforth Park but then felt a bit played when Julian Fellowes said - "I can churn this stuff out indefinitely"
ReplyDeleteBut each to their own! x
I've watched all the episodes on TV but when they killed off Lady Sybil right after she gave birth, I knew then I shouldn't become too attached to any one character. That was a hard one to watch, as was Matthew's car crash following the birth of his son. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteCry real tears? How old are you, ten?
ReplyDeleteNo i am, as you are fully aware, 63 years old
DeleteArsehole
DeleteJohn, it's absolute sh*te!
ReplyDeleteI know but I enjoyed it
Delete