The Duchess (2008) 7/10

Starring : Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell
Director : Saul Dibb
Running Time : 111 mins

Lady Georgiana Spencer (Knightley) is faced with a life where her husband, the Duke of Devonshire (Fiennes), is cheating on her with another woman, Lady Bess (Atwell), due to his disappointment in her ability to give birth to a male heir. Realising that her husband probably doesn’t love her anymore, she starts a relationship with up and coming politician Charles Grey (Cooper), but when her husband finds out he threatens to take her children away.

This movie was pretty interesting. Many have pointed out the comparisons between Lady Georgiana and another more recent Lady Spencer, due to her fondness for the people and in turn the people’s fondness of her. Lady Georgiana’s treatment by her husband makes for some uncomfortable viewing, but it is her ability to smile throughout and keep up appearances that makes this such a compelling movie.

You’ll like this if you liked : Marie Antoinette