Ticket 2 Ride

The late Maggie Smith was well-represented as Violet Crawley, she looms large over her family. Downton Abbey without Maggie Smith – unthinkable. How far this story has traveled in the 14 years of its existence.

The final(?) installment of the long running Downton Abbey television and film series, the highly anticipated The Grand Finale arrived last Friday.

This is not really a view, I’ll leave that for rottentomatoes.com, my comments are more conceptual. Downton Abbey has always been about the opposing forces of tradition and change. The Grand Finale is really all about change, or as they say in the film, the closing of one chapter and the beginning on another. Tradition is the order that holds the other pieces in place. It’s dependable, safe and predictable.

Violet passed away, as did Cora’s mother, estates are settled, financial realities are faced, roles are changing, retirements happen, relationships are under conflict, morality and social standards exert pressures, and the outside world marches onward. There is change, both upstairs and down. The world of Downton must evolve too.

Divorce is the social stigma that the Crawleys must confront, especially as Mary is poised to replace her father as head of Downton Abbey. Shunned by proper society, divorcee Mary must navigate her new life situation, and she starts badly, but finds her footing with the support of her friends and family.

How was this expansive story of the Crawleys and their staff supposed to conclude? I believe that most television and film series flub their finale. Most fans are already predisposed to being disappointed their favorite film or show is ending. How to leave each of these series characters that fans have followed and care about. What will happen to their home?

The film is again written and co-produced by Julian Fellowes, and directed by Simon Curtis, who also helmed Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022). At a reported budget of $50M, it looks to all be on the screen: Lavish sets, period costumes, location filming and John Lunn’s majestic score. The rest of the cast returns, led by Hugh Bonneville, Michele Dockery, Jim Carter and Elizabeth McGovern. The cast is enormous and talented, the supporting players include Phyllis Logan, Penelope Wilton and as Cora’s brother, Paul Giamatti. They are all terrific.

If you are a fan, you’ll see the film, and it should be seen on a large, theatrical screen. Films like this should be supported at the box office. If you aren’t a fan, you see it with someone who is. Be supportive.

Final thoughts…

I’m no Downton expert, but the film concludes in a smart, secure place.

The opening weekend (partial Sunday total), seems positive, pulling in $30M. This is a film that will have a healthy streaming life after its theatrical release.