In 2003, Keira Knightley took audiences by storm when she brought Jane Austen's independently minded Elizabeth to life in the film adaptation Pride & Prejudice. Proclaiming herself as a series actress, the London born native made a name for herself, earning her first Oscar nomination for the role. In 2007, Knightley would take on the daunting task of portraying history again as she played Cecilia; a woman whose romantic life is sent into a state of chaos when an intentionally misguided accusation puts her one true love behind bars in Joe Wright's Atonement. And now, only a year later, Keira Knightley proclaims her love of historian films as she works on her most challenging character yet, that of Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire in Saul Dibb's The Duchess.
Feasting on the beauty and warmth that surrounds the disheartening story of Georgiana, Saul Dibb effectively allows the audience a glimpse into both the relishes and aversions to life in the 18th century. However, even amid the lavish costumes and fascinating scenery, the true star of the film is Keira Knightley, who gives the most poised and amazing performance of her career as the decadent 'It Girl,' Georgiana.
Forced to exhibit a wide range of emotion throughout the course of the film, Keira Knightley put herself into a character that is just as confusing as she is independent. However, like the leading lady in which she portrays, Knightley effectively works both the camera and the audience, creating an irresistible character out of Georgiana, and helping to recreate the reason in which she was so loved and appreciated back in her day.
In the film, Georgiana is a woman of confidence and interdependence. Tired of the old ways, she uses her power and popularity to create change in England as a leader in the forward-thinking Whig party. Moreover, Georgiana wants to prove herself socially as well, constantly making statements with her attire and changes of fashion as well as making it a point to out-gamble, out-drink and outwit the men who surrounded her. And while her activities are not well looked upon by her husband, the Duke, the real problems occurred behind closed doors. As her popularity and influence continued to grow, the lone man that she cannot have is the one in which she is married to. And when she attempts to be true to herself and her heart, the controversies that result have the town talking.
Throughout the course of the film, Knightley transforms from a happy-go-lucky teenager into a fierce and fiery woman to a calm and understanding lady, and the ease in which she does it truly mesmerizes me. And even more, she does it with such grace and affection that you find yourself enthralled with her every move, watching with the utmost attention, hoping that she will somehow transform the ways of history and society. Sadly, the history-changing alteration doesn't come, but the simple fact that hope and possibility were created speaks volumes for the level of performance that Knightley gives.
As expected, Knightley is not alone in the film as both Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper play men fighting for the love and affection of our lead protagonist. And while Fiennes gets to offer the power of fame, fortune and royalty; it is the true love of one's heart that Georgiana is after. Unfortunately, divorce is not well looked upon, especially in the royal family, which creates a series of events that will pit a woman's true love verses the love of her children, which proves to be the ultimate decision that paves way for the film and its heartbreaking story.
To add a third problematic situation to the already chaotic mess, Hayley Atwell appends her presence to the film as Bess Foster, a woman who was invited to the estate as a friend of Georgiana's and never left on account for the Duke's romantic affection towards her.
Though her role is one that you despise from the onset, you cannot deny the grace and style that Atwell brings to the screen. Taking each step in stride, Atwell proves to be a quite the daunting force, complimenting Knightley flawlessly and helping to bring the confusion and frustration of the story to the forefront. Without her, Georgiana has no reason to embark on her mysterious endeavors; but with her, the story takes on a whole new meaning as betrayal, deception and adultery are added into the already overbearing mess.
The characters are real, a rarity in film. But more than that, the people who portray them do so with such sophistication and precaution, making sure to pay tribute to their part and working to accurately bring both their story and their outlandish personalities to life. In the process, each actor gives a performance worth awarding, though all fall short of the masterful Knightley. Together, the leading four-some allow director Saul Dibb to concentrate on both the surroundings and the characters, creating one of the most fascinating stories and visually appealing films to grace the screen in years. It is quite easy to proclaim that in time, this film will be registered as a classic in all the right terms.
