Downton Abbey: A New Era

Downton Abbey: A New Era is as light and frothy as escapist entertainment can get, and I kind of admired it for that very reason.  There are a number of people who will criticize the fact that the film celebrates a group of privileged and old fashioned one percenters, but the family on display is as charming as ever, and the movie is fun, even if you're someone like me, who has never actually watched the show, and who's main exposure to the characters has been the 2019 movie. 

Set in 1929, the film finds the Crawley family has come into possession of a villa in the South of France due to a hidden love affair that the Dowager Countess (the always-welcome Maggie Smith) had over 60 years ago.  Just as certain members of the family are about to set off to explore this villa and help solve the mystery behind this unknown suitor, a Hollywood film crew shows up at Downton Abbey, led by director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), who want to shoot a silent movie on location in their home.  This comes at an opportune time for the family, as the roof is in desperate need of repair.  And so, Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), his wife Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), their loyal butler Carson (Jim Yates), and select other members of the family travel to France, while other members stay behind and get involved with the film production.

Just like the previous film, this is a chance for fans of the show to reunite with these characters and see what they have been doing since the series ended its six season run.  There are numerous subplots, a wedding, a few scandalous details about hidden pasts, a few characters might be fighting an illness, and an overall sense of escapism that keeps this lightweight material afloat.  For someone who is not familiar with the series, I found myself charmed by the characters, and more interested in the plot involving the film crew taking over the home of these characters.  The interactions the characters have with the two Hollywood stars of the film, the dashing Guy Dexter (Dominic West) and the lovely but somewhat combative Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock) is a lot of fun.  I also liked a moment late in the film where the extras on the movie go on strike, and the servants at the mansion home have to fill in for them.

Is Downton Abbey out of touch in today's climate of inflation, disease, and war overseas?  That can't be denied.  And yet, as previously mentioned, it works as escapism.  For a certain audience, this is probably as thrilling and as fun as the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  And yet, I can't deny that I got caught up in these characters and their lightweight problems.  The cast from the old TV show know how to sell this material (as well they should by now), and they slip back into their old roles with ease.  As for the new characters who are introduced, the fit in beautifully, and everyone gets to have their own stand out moment.  The ways that the film juggles so many characters, subplots, and situations is quite admirable, lends the film a sense of professionalism.  This may be lightweight entertainment, but it knows what it's doing.

This is the kind of movie where you shut your brain off, take in the lovely scenery, enjoy some great acting, and just forget the outside world for about two hours.  I'm sure there's plenty of people out there who would welcome that, so I will not be surprised if in another few years, we get a third visit from these characters.

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