Director: Saul Dibb
Starring: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper
Running Time: 110 minutes
Synopsis: In 1770s Britain, 17 year-old Georgiana Spencer (Keira Knightley) weds the exceptionally wealthy William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes), in a marriage arranged by her mother (Charlotte Rampling). It's a passionless union, with William not caring for Georgiana beyond his obsessive desire for a son. Georgiana distracts herself by getting involved in politics and befriending Lady Elizabeth Foster (Hayley Atwell), but William's shameless extra-marital affairs drive her to the arms of rising political star Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper).
What Works Well: Based on actual events, the fascinatingly turbulent story of a popular fashion icon trapped in a loveless marriage carries obvious parallels to her distant relative Diana. The adaptation of Amanda Foreman's book explores upper echelon societal tensions related to domestic roles and expected behaviours, and the different rules applied to men and women. Keira Knightley tests the limits of Georgina's reality with subtle glances and the occasional fire in her eyes. Even more impressive is Ralph Fiennes, deceptively understated as the Duke acts with the utmost certainty that his inherited privileges - male, wealth, title, influence - empower him to compromise on nothing. The lavish settings, attention-grabbing hairdos, and period wardrobes are augmented by an engaging Rachel Portman music score.
What Does Not Work As Well: The attraction between Georgina and Charles Grey is only explained in terms of physical magnetism, and Dominic Cooper is provided with limited material to define Grey's stature. Similarly, Lady Foster's critical role in the Cavendish marriage sways with events rather through demonstrated character depth.
Key Quote:
Lady Foster: Well, as they say, the Duke of Devonshire must be the only man in England not in love with his wife.
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