THE DUCHESS

English - (18+) - Doubtful Release - Period Drama

Distributor: Paramount Vintage
Running Time: approx. 110 minutes

Director: Saul Dibb
Producer: Gabrielle Tana, Michael Kuhn
Writer: Amanda Foreman (book); Jeffrey Hatcher, anders Thomas Jensen, Saul Dibb (screenplay)
Casts: Kiera Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Hayley Atwell, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper

lot:Set at the end of the 18th century, The Duchess is based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of of Devonshire. While her beauty and charisma made her name, her extravagant tastes and appetite for gambling and love made her infamous. Married young to older, distant Duke of Devonshire, who was blatantly unfaithful, Georgiana became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator, intimate of ministers and princes, and darling of the common people.

My Verdict:

Green Tea says:

Here we go again, Kiera Knigthley is in her Victorian suit again. In yet another film adaptation based on a book about some famous people during that era, her name is now like some famous beauty rattling some Shakespeare's lines once in a while. When was your last time not seeing her in a non-periodic drama? I guess it's been long. Fortunate enough, this performance is rather praisable. Not that we Asian know about these Victorian story that well but I heard that it was some potential Oscar contender so I decided to give a chance.

This is not another Atonement that we wish to refer. Atonement is a story of another class with excellent presentation of story plot that richly indulged in the rich Britannica setting. World war story is perhasps more closer to our era than any other periodic monarchy story in Britain. For The Duchess, there is nothing much to be sounded of despite an excellent acting by Ralph Fiennes and Kiera Knightley, whom perhaps had made me stunned by their truthful performance. Ralph Fiennes was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor for the upcoming Golden Globe Award which after watching this show had no doubt he should have.

However, the story seems to be in a slow pace at certain time and seems to be a bit racy and sexy for most part of the story. Forgive about the naked show done by Kiera - the theme of the movie seems heavily relied on the sexuality on the life of the Duchess, the Duke and the other woman - forming a triangle love and lust. Luckily, the movie plot was still managed to be balanced off with strong theme of motherhood and challenges in life.

If you are looking for more from this movie, do not raise your expectation too high. It seems even it has a strong grip on the emotion and sensuality of the characters, the flow can still be tainted by boring talking and slow pace drama.

The Ratings...........
CAST - 3.5 stars

STORYLINE - 3.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars

EFFECTS - what effects

an overall>> 3.0 stars