Slightly better than average period drama based on a true story.

Rating: 7/10 (17 June 2020)

I was tempted to pass on 'the Duchess', as it sounded like a hum-drum period drama piece which looked pretty but had no real edge. I did hear however that it might be better than I originally thought, and so decided to watch it. While this film is not a great one, I would say it is a good one. The main advantage this film has is that it is based on true events, and that does gives the film some dramatic urgency, something that it occasionally comes close to losing.
The story had it been made up would have seemed too contrived and in a way too clichéd in its depiction of the events in this film. The truth (with artistic license, naturally) revealed by this film is a thorough if a sometimes uninvolving examination of the gender politics of that time (18th century England). It is also by remote implication a study of the systems that reinforce both the suppression and repression often involved in those politics.
The plot involves Keira Knightley playing Spencer who is married to the Duke of Devonshire played by Ralph Fiennes, emphasising her 'inability' to quickly bear him a male heir; a state of affairs which is further complicated by the Duke having an affair with her best friend Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell). In a somewhat awkward turn of events Bess then moves in with Georgiana and the duke, in which the initial hostility between Georgiana and Bess gradually becomes an important friendship again. This in part is due to the rape of Georgiana by the duke, which is mainly heard of screen in a harrowing sequence. To make this cocktail of intertwining relations even more unstable, is Georgiana's 'scandalous' affair with aspiring politician Charles Grey played by Dominic Cooper.
The story despite its complexity is well told, and the predicament of all the characters is nicely illustrated, each one of whom is trapped by the systems of class and codes that imprison them. There is the duke's desperation at not having a male heir in a society which demands it. Georgiana herself being married to the repressed and rake of a duke, who also represses her in turn. Bess Foster is someone torn between friendship to Georgiana and her love of the duke, and finally there is Charles Grey being unable to free Georgiana from the duke, who uses Georgiana's children as emotional blackmail to stop her seeing Charles Grey. Then there is the final sting in the tale; Georgiana has Charles Grey's baby (Eliza) which she has to give up ,and is finally brought up in secret by Charles Grey's family.
The acting is good, although Keira Knightley's performance is not much more than what you might expect of a standard period drama piece. She doesn't do much more than is required, ie look attractive in nice voluminous dresses, and be impressed by the duke's palatial houses. This maybe seems harsh, but in a way that is all Keira Knightley is required to do in this film, and she does that perfectly capably. The film itself doesn't really demand much more of her in this role. The result is perhaps you don't always feel for her plight as keenly as you might.
On the otherhand Ralph Fiennes gives you the feeling this is a duke who is usually repressing his feelings, and not given to emotional enthusiasm, other than to his dogs. The times when Ralph Fiennes does break through the strictures of his rigid comportment are done to impressive effect. The rape scene were the hidden hostility and aggression suddenly surface in his character is shocking. Yet Fiennes still conjures enough sympathy for you to not forgive the rape but understand it in part comes from a system that places unremitting pressure on both men and women.
Hayley Atwell also gives an excellent performance; she seems to portray a natural warmth, that always makes her an interesting screen presence. It is also a convincing one. You can understand how her torn friendship to Georgiana is caused by Bess's love of her own children, which the duke has used his influence to gain custody for her, from her abusive husband. This act makes Bess's affair with the duke more understandable in her initial betrayal of Georgiana.
Dominic Cooper is all right as Charles Grey, although perhaps a little ill-suited for the role. There doesn't seem to be the charisma that would attract Georgiana, but the political scenes are were Cooper is at his best, and as well as that Charles Fox played by Simon McBurney. McBurney is superb in that role, referential and respectful of Georgiana, and the impression of being a canny political operator as well. I did enjoy the dalliance with politics as seen from the Whig perspective in this film; they came across as slightly more radical that the Tories, and it explains why Georgiana's character would be attracted to them.
The film is probably a little too polished and fitfully shallow to be more than an interesting and slightly better than average period piece. There is bite there, but maybe lacks the overall menace of Lady Macbeth, which is not dissimilar in terms of subject. In being a true story it is an important one as well. This comes at a time just before the upper class echelons are being threatened by demands for voting reform, and women are still seen openly as property to produce heirs. It appears to be a far different time and age, and yet the themes of misogyny, rape and abuse in marriage are still relevant. I think this is a good film, and yet maybe slips of the target, rather than skewering it. Yet the final captions for the characters are poignant, sad, and not unhopeful as well. The film therefore made me care about these characters and their fates, which helps temper the reservations I have about the film. I enjoyed the film without being in thrall to it: it is good but I can't say it is a classic of the genre.