“The Duchess” isn’t anything we haven’t seen before. Directed by Saul Dibb (“Bullet Boy”), it follows the 18th century saga of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightly) who is married off to the older and uncaring Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes). Yet despite their extravagant, aristocratic life and being the highlight of her social set, the Duchess finds herself unhappily married and trapped by societal expectations and duty. Her attempt to make peace with her life is quickly threatened by her husband’s live-in mistress and her own passionate dalliances.
It’s hard quibble about the actual plot line in historical dramas when the events are rooted in fact and the characters woven from real people but “The Duchess,” does little to elevate itself from what we have come to expect from PBS’s weekly masterpiece theatre and in fact, falls below par. To its benefit, the film has the lush landscape, elaborate costumes and storied love gained-love lost that all good 18th century dramas inhabit but it fails to make you fall in love with any of the characters including the Duchess herself even as her loyal servants on screen do. To the disadvantage of the audience, the film never delves very deeply into the woman behind the large wigs and coveted hats.
The most potentially fascinating character falls to Lady Elizabeth Spencer, the live-in mistress, played with charm and depth by Haley Atwell – yet whose back story, true motives and own desires are never fully explained. Keira Knightly never seizes the role with the passion that was clearly intended and she winds up playing just another version of what we have come to expect from her past repertoire of costume dramas. Ralph Fiennes does a decent if forgettable job as her loveless dolt of a husband whose main fascination is that of his dogs. Ultimately, “The Duchess” will merely whet the appetite of those that appreciate costume dramas as the film never quite finds its emotional depth or breath. [B-/C] – Reiko S-Talk