a true soap-operatic story but with a great set, costumes and direction

Rating: 7/10 (12 December 2009)

First of all, let's celebrate the modern times n the more sensible social customs compared to the biased n grievous conventions of olden times. The movie makes you feel really sorry for the ladies of that time.
The story was pretty fascinating in the beginning but slowly turned into a corny soap opera (Star-Plus anybody?). The sad part? It's a true story, about the real Duchess of Devonshire, wife to the 5th Duke of Devonshire. To be honest, I considered it a regular soap-opera story until I found it was based on real people and mostly facts. That changed my point of view. However, cheesy as it may seem, right before the credits roll, we are told of 'what happened to the characters in the future'. WHO in the world would allow their disloyal husband to marry her friend, and that too 'with blessings???!!' Otherwise, it drew a pretty accurate picture of that time.
The cast was very good and direction fabulous. It was as if they belong to that period, and not the 21st century. The setting, the make-up, the costumes, everything was convincing. I'm not a big fan of Keira Knightly, but for once she performed really well. I think this is her thing- the-sad-victim-of-fate English royalty- and like Jolie, she should stick to roles that suit her and stop going for versatility. She was good in Atonement too, but a sad case as Elizabeth Bennet.
Ralph Fiennes, like in The English Patient, played his role (the unconcerned philanderer) perfectly. Charles Grey, played by Dominic Cooper is another reason why I loved the direction and the cast. He makes you wish things had been different for him. Well-done, I must say. Charlotte Rampling and Hayley Atwell did a remarkable job too.
All in all, it's a commendable effort on part of the cast and director.