A Very Special Review- Downtown Abbey: A New Era (By My Mom)

I requested that my mother, the celebrated Laura Reid, write this review, as I did not have a particular desire to watch the film in question but felt that I needed to review something a little different than my usual. The Keizertimes opted not to print it (they were not particularly clear in their response when I asked them why), but it is now printed here in it's entirety for your perusal, enjoyment, and immense gratification. 

I am ghost writing for my son today, as I could not get him to accompany me to Downton Abbey: A New Era. Well, that’s not entirely true, as we watched it during a family girls’ weekend, and he wasn’t invited. He instead chose to see The Bob’s Burgers Movie with his equally uninvited father. Nevertheless, I’m sure he still would have opted out if he’d had a chance. Downton Abbey: A New Era was every bit as delightful as would be expected by diehard fans, though that description seems a bit ludicrous for aficionados of this classy period piece.  

I should have done my homework better; by that I mean I should have at least watched the last movie and probably watched the last season. It was sometimes difficult to remember the plot lines of the different characters since there are so many of them by this point. Nevertheless, I followed the plot well enough, and it was wonderfully pleasant. 

With so many characters to be accommodated, there were two main plot lines and both incorporated all the beloved elements of the series. The first plot was that the family accedes to the request to film a movie at Downton Abbey in order to pay for a new roof. While that disgraceful scenario materializes, the rest of the family and attendants abscond to the south of France to look into a villa that has been mysteriously left to the Dowager Lady Grantham. Both plots are perfectly charming. 

Julian Fellows throws in all major dramatic elements (marriage, birth, illness, death, romance, etc.) with several theatrical and literary homages thrown in for good measure. My favorites were the very obvious Singing in the Rain parallel, and the David Copperfield allusion (not to be confused with David Copperfield’s illusions). Furthermore, each character had the opportunity to participate in scenes that reinforced the characters they have become: Daisy is cheeky and sly, Thomas is troubled but reformed, Mr. Carson is disgusted with everything not strictly English yet has a tender father moment with Mary, Mary is the self-sacrificing boss of everyone, and the Dowager Lady Grantham is above it all. There is not much in the way of development, but we are gleefully reminded of everything we love about this show. 

Everything turns out just as we want it to. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that the Dowager Lady Grantham dies at the end, as she has been living on borrowed time for quite awhile. She doesn’t even break character on her death bed; her final line is something like, “Stop blubbering. I can’t hear myself die.” We can forgive the lack of literary merit being sacrificed for character consistency. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era doesn’t really add anything to the plot or to the development of the characters; rather, it is a gift to those, both cast and audience, who have invested so much in the Downton world over the years. 

It can currently be seen in theaters, where other members of your family might choose a different film. 

T.J.'s update- the movie can now be seen on Peacock. Don't think it's in theaters anymore.