The hit show “Downton Abbey” aired its final episode four years ago, and no other program has quite been able to take its place as far as being a prestige soap opera with a large cast of characters all occupying the same household. It was a surprise then that creator/writer/ showrunner Julian Fellowes announced that a film would be on the way, and here it is, a splendid Very Special Episode with a higher-than-usual budget that feels like the culmination of everything “Downton Abbey” was moving toward.
Auspicious letter
It feels like no time has passed since last we saw these familiar faces. Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) is slowly ceding management of the estate over to his daughter Mary (Michelle Dockery), who is helped by her brother-in-law Tom (Allen Leech). Sister Edith (Laura Carmichael) is headed home when an auspicious letter arrives, informing everyone that the king and queen of England will be visiting Downton Abbey. This excites the household, not least the staff, now headed by Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) since Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) has retired. They set about on a mountain of preparations, only to have the rug pulled out from under them when the Royals’ own staff show up at Downton’s door, seemingly ready to take over and make them obsolete at such a momentous occasion.
Not everyone gets to make the reunion; Lily James’ cousin Rose is in America, and we are denied an appearance by Violet Crawley’s butler, the MVP Spratt. However, Mr. Carson is brought out of retirement, rightly so, at the prospect of serving the king and queen themselves. He gets a fine shot as he walks to the manor he’s devoted most of his life to. There are also some new characters to add some intrigue to the proceedings (this *is* “Downton Abbey,” after all). Princess Mary (Kate Phillips), vacationing nearby, is trapped in a difficult marriage; and traveling with the Queen is Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton), a cousin of Robert’s who is on the outs with the family as she wants to bequeath her inheritance to someone not blood-related (gasp!). There’s also Captain Chetwode (Stephen Campbell Moore), who seems to be sizing up Tom’s loyalties as regards the royal visit.
Director Michael Engler makes good use of the bigger budget: sweeping helicopter shots make the estate look better than it ever has, and it looks glorious on the widescreen anamorphic frame. A military parade, a stately dinner, and a ball all get the royal treatment. A veteran of the franchise, he knows not to reinvent the wheel, only to make sure it’s spotless and just so.
of their lives.
Prestige Soap
The real draw remains the characters and their familiarity. Their world is flash-frozen, no matter the claims and nods to “modernity,” and good vibes abound. It’s a form of willful ignorance and escapism, choosing not to dwell on how few persons of color there are in this entire area of England, or the largely uncriticized class system (because the Crawleys are benevolent!). We are here for the Countess Dowager (Maggie Smith)’s signature verbal bon mots and withering glares, the catty bitchiness of Barrow (he gets in some licks), Daisy and Mrs. Patmore whingeing as they whip up a feast. We get the familiar highs of a missed dose of Prestige Soap, and Tom even gets a crack at romance. Ultimately the film is the equivalent of slipping into a warm, beloved coat, sinking into the comfort of a favorite armchair set by the fireplace, lulled by the presence of dear friends and family. Who could fault such escapism in these troubled times?