“Downton Abbey,” the beloved British television-show-turned-movie series, is back for a third installment titled “Downton Abbey: the Grand Finale.” Directed by Simon Curtis and written by Julian Fellowes, the show’s creator, the film follows the Crawley family and their loyal staff as they collectively strive to preserve the titular, treasured, countryside castle.
Throughout the film, set in 1930, the upstairs and downstairs characters are united in tackling new roles, be it retirement or increased responsibilities, all the while staying remarkably close to the manor. One character poignantly jokes, “None of you can stay away!”
While happy endings await many of them, drama swirls around Lady Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, as she experiences social isolation in the wake of her divorce. The household bands together to champion Mary as she juggles judgment and her new place as the head of Downton.
Sadly, the delightfully witty Violet Crawley, played by Maggie Smith, passed away surrounded by her family in the second movie, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” and Smith herself died in 2024. A new and enjoyable addition to the cast is actor Arty Froushan, who plays a fictionalized version of the real-life playwright and songster Noël Coward. The toe-tapping rendition of his song “Poor Little Rich Girl” hits a little too close to home for the beleaguered Mary. Paul Giamatti reprises his role from the show as the American brother of Cora Crawley, played by Elizabeth McGovern, who comes from across the pond with a mysterious friend to bring news about Cora’s inheritance.
Even without Granny Violet’s zingers, the film offers reliable laughs, with much of the humor centering on tension between the new and old ways of life. The suggestion that a former servant join the guests for a drink upstairs at Downton is amusingly likened to Bolshevism. Robert Crawley, played by Hugh Bonneville, is befuddled by the prospect of exchanging his second home for — the horror! — a London flat. “Like a layer cake of strangers,” he remarks upon hearing noises from tenants upstairs.
As expected in any Downton production, the final movie is filled with beautiful sets and costumes, with scenes of a London ball, a trip to the horse races and a day at the county fair. The sleek, colorful gowns and sparkling tiaras are a sight to behold, especially those worn by Mary and her sister, Edith, played by Laura Carmichael.
The film seems best suited for fans who long to revisit the lives of characters often seen with a bone china teacup of warm English tea. Even Fortnum & Mason, the luxury department store in London, has a cameo. The movie is a calm, aesthetic, low-stakes drama that ties up the story with a bow. Less ardent fans may find the modern sensibilities spouted by characters who lived more than 100 years ago less than plausible. Though a touch heavy-handed, the theme of friends and family members united in their support of one another and a common cause — the abbey — is heartwarming all the same.
Though rated PG, the 2-hour-and-3-minute movie contains enough mature content to make it unsuitable for children and some teens. The film shows the morning after a premarital sexual encounter; the subject matter includes divorce and homosexuality.
Somewhat surprisingly for a franchise focused on family, the film’s numerous children were barely seen or heard.
Grab your lace hankie and look for the subtle and not-so-subtle tributes to Violet in what’s billed as a tender goodbye to the series.
This film was released in theaters Sept. 12.
Maraist is a freelancer from Reston.
