Downton Abbey: La Grande Finale

As a long-time fan of the series, I found the Downton Abbey farewell film truly moving. It brought together all of main characters for a final glimpse into their lives through 1930, blending heartfelt moments with just the right touch of humor. The film beautifully pays tribute to the show's legacy and brings out the strengths of each character as they adapt to a new era. It offers a satisfying closure that resonated deeply with me-so much so that I cried at the end as if saying goodbye to beloved friends. I appreciate the care taken to wrap up the story for loyal viewers. Thank you to everyone involved in creating this touching farewell.

I was prepared to be disappointed having lost Dame Maggie Smith. My to my surprise, the rest of the cast was able to carry off sound performances, ESPECIALLY Michelle Dockery who clearly was Grandmama's favorite, and mine! She has spent years developing and evolving the Charactor or Mary. Once again, she takes us along with her to the next evolution of Mary without disconnecting her past. This is the result of good writing, but more importantly, an exceptional performance. Writers cleverly shifted much of Lady Grantham's quips and persona to Mary, which follows the notion that Mary is becoming what Grandmama Grantham was, a pioneer in a new era while retaining the best of what was in the past. Home Run for Michelle Dockery. The screenplay was logical and flowed well. So happy to see another favorite, Thomas, back and giving us closure to another pivitol charactor. No spoilers here, but fans will be happy. I especially enjoyed the added attention the writers gave the Elizabeth McGovern's charactor, and she made the very best of that opportunity. Bring some tissues for the final scene. Downton Abby fans will not be disappointed and new fans will be compelled to step back in time to the beginning of the series and two previous movies. A BIG THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE CAST.

I'm glad I went to see it. Understandably, the film is constructed to please long time Downton fans. There is a rather self-conscious effort to give some characters enough screen time to bid us farewell, so that we see Anna and Mr Bates or Mrs Patmore and Daisy in brief scenes not at all relevant to the story at hand. That's fine, but I can almost imagine a producer standing behind the camera with a stopwatch to check off a box (okay Mrs Crawley, we've reached your quota).

Even the gone and departed appear briefly-Maggie Smith, Matthew, and one delicious shot of Sybil. Gee I wish she hadn't left the show. The storyline itself, emphasized in the trailer as a big scandal involving Mary, doesn't have a lot of punch to be honest, but I guess that's not why Downton fans are here anyway. For my money the worthwhile themes are a softening of class structure (Robert asking Carson for advice) and the virtual end of a centuries-long servant culture in Britain.

I liked the movie, however, it's cut together like a music video. Just when you're enjoying the splendor of the fair or the production value of the racetrack, it cuts away to another shot. The viewer doesn't have time to take it all in. It feels like the editor and director are fearful of the film becoming boring. The hurried pace of editing allows no time for the viewer to enjoy the scene. The blocking and eye-lines of some of the scenes were off. Several of the cut-aways and inserts were stilted or not necessary. This movie is not as good as it could have been, but it was worth seeing in the theater and enjoying the characters once more.

The finale touched me to the core. It tied up a great deal of stories while providing a fitting tribute to those who were so much a part of the entire run. And the dialogue is so "cheeky" meaning true Downton followers will appreciate the references. I loved every minute. Thank you Julian Fellowes. You have left us with a lasting legacy to be revisited again.