Downton Abbey The Grande Finale
It’s 1930 and the Crawley family of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire is grappling with two major problems: the Great Depression, which leaves them in financially straightened circumstances; and Lady Mary’s (Michelle Dockery) shocking choice to divorce her philandering husband. Apparently, it is unthinkable for the family’s friends and relatives to be in the same room as a divorced woman! Social status rescue appears in the form of a visit from Noel Coward (Arty Froushan), who charmingly entertains the assembled guests and breaks the ice surrounding Lady Mary. All the familiar TV series characters are there, except for the Dowager (Maggie Smith) whose imposing portrait dominates the room. Written (as usual) by Julian Fellowes, this stand-alone film is ‘outrageously entertaining’ (The Guardian) and ‘a pleasure to watch’ (The Australian).