On Saturday night, I went to the Kendall Square Cinema to attend a screening of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
I saw Downton Abbey on the big screen when I lived in NYC in 2019 and its sequel Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022 at the Kendall Square Cinema.
The story centers around Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), coming to terms with relinquishing his hold on Downton and handing it over to Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) who must struggle with ostracism after she has divorced Henry Talbot because the U.K. in 1930 cannot accept divorced women in polite society. But who can say no to a party at Downton with Noel Coward (Arty Froushan) and Guy Dexter (Dominic West). Of course, we met Guy Dexter in a New Era and he helps former butler Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) find his elusive happiness.
Also coming to terms with relinquishing their hold on Downton are Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) who hands over his position as butler to Andy Parker (Michael Fox) and Mrs. Patmore (Leslie Nicol) who hands over her position as cook to Daisy Parker (Sophie McShera). Let's just say Mr. Carson has a harder time letting go than Mrs. Patmore.
Paul Giamatti was a welcome addition reprising his role as Harold Levinson, the younger brother of Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) even if he nearly puts Downton into ruin.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was dedicated to the memory of Maggie Smith who portrayed the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley and died nearly a year ago a few months shy of what would have been her 90th birthday.
Although the film is billed as the "grand finale" I can't help but wonder if there is more to tell. After all, there is another World War to come, and one wonders how Mary Crawley will manage Downton while holding off the Nazis.
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