Knightley and Fiennes give the performances of their careers.

Rating: 9/10 (3 October 2008)

Before viewing 'The Duchess' I was expecting another period drama with all the usual scenarios and clichés.
I was greatly mistaken.
'The Duchess' gives us a very personal insight into the marriage of The 18th Century Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
Keira Knightley is astounding as Georgianna the Duchess of Devonshire. She gives a raw, emotional performance showing her struggle against the constraints of her marriage and what is expected of her in society, which moved me deeply.
Ralph Fiennes plays the Duke perfectly as a cold and quite frankly despicable man. Yet despite the many nasty things he does to Georgianna he still manages to portray a slight vulnerability - that he too is not free.
Hayley Atwell, Charlotte Rampling and Dominic Cooper are all on top of their game and add even more depth to the story.
The costumes and sets are fantastic and the score is beautiful; it really tugs at your heart.
A wonderfully touching drama, which everybody should watch. I doubt you'll be disappointed.