“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” delivers a sentimental but bittersweet ending to long-time fans. With a screenplay written by Julian Fellowes, the original creator of the well-loved television series, and a returning cast of familiar faces, viewers can expect a film reminiscent of everything they enjoyed about the English drama.
The film follows the Crawley family and their loyal servants as they navigate an era of change in the 1930s. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) is having a hard time accepting the inevitable while the house is thrown into scandal following Lady Mary’s (Michelle Dockery) recent divorce.
Things become increasingly uncertain when Lady Grantham’s (Elizabeth McGovern) brother visits from America with his charismatic, and rather flirty, financial advisor in tow. Her brother reveals that much of their mother’s fortune has been lost in the midst of the Great Depression, meaning the future of Downton hangs in the balance. Once again, the entire house must rally to face financial uncertainty and a reputation-tainting scandal together.
The film is visually stunning. The opening scene displays the vibrant new age the characters are entering with flashing city lights and bustling streets—a view that hasn’t yet been seen in the long-running period drama. The costumes, particularly the ladies’ dresses, are an accurate reflection of the decade’s fashion and bring even more color to the screen.
Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) had a captivating wardrobe that even modern women dream of. This is a welcome development for the character who once found herself at the butt of every joke. Her final character arc in this film was one of the best details. Fans will find she has grown into her place in society and now has empowering confidence.
The rest of the cast fell back into their characters so well and were all able to pick up right where their characters left off. The acting aligned with the characters phenomenally, creating the environment of reuniting with old friends. Given that this film serves as the final goodbye, seeing well-loved characters together again makes you wish it would never end.
Among the treasured characters, it is clear that one iconic figure is missing. “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is the first production in the saga to be missing the quick-witted Dowager Countess, once played by Maggie Smith.
Admittedly, there was uncertainty regarding how the film would manage without Maggie Smith’s masterful delivery of sarcastic comments, but viewers will find her time with the beloved series well honored. There is no shortage of references for the missed character. Penelope Wilton delivers a great performance in her portrayal of Isobel, whose fierceness and blunt comments are reminiscent of those of the late Dowager Countess.
Fans have also missed characters like Lady Sybil and Matthew Crawley since the early seasons of the show. However, Julian Fellowes wrote the finale in a way that accommodated all the characters who made “Downton Abbey” special. The characters’ memories live on in reflective scenes.
Overall, the film builds an essential theme of change. It centers around the emotional, yet necessary, act of passing on the torch. The script and character development do a wonderful job proving that the main point in the film is to welcome the ending of a chapter so a new one can begin.
In short, viewers will leave the theater knowing their beloved characters, or old friends, have been left in good hands as each of their new chapters begins. The grand finale tied up a well-loved series in a neat bow, so much so that it dons a well-earned 90% according to Rotten Tomatoes.
As a long-time “Downton Abbey” fan myself, I can confidently say all fans of the series should be pleased. In the words of Noël Coward, a playwright in the film, “Everyone is qualified to say something nice,” and in regard to “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” I couldn’t agree more.
