a bit too long

Rating: 7/10 (6 January 2009)

I had to watch this film a second time to really enjoy it, and then I knew what was wrong with it the first time. It is too long.
The first time I saw it, I knew nothing about the subject, the duchess, the whatever. Surely the production was well done and actors played very well ... I thought at first Keira was a bit too theatrical, but she continues really really well I think. In the end ... I didn't know why I haven't liked it better. Was it the acting? was it the script? well, in the end, I thought it was just how it was all put together, too slow for the duchess character who seemed more fiery then the film is, the love affair but where exactly was the love, why did it end and it seemed nothing really had happened.
some weeks later I saw it again, and this time I felt better and I think I know why it doesn't click at full potential, unfortunately. It's just too long for its intended rhythm and story. A bit more tight and more together would have kept better proportion and overall likability.