very good movie, but no perfect! great perfomances

Loved the movie. It carried the important element of a strong, talented woman constrained by her time (and her mother.) The book is even better. "Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman. If you read the book and watch the movie, you get a great flavor for history and politics. Georgiana was a very important political figure, which the movie suggests, but cannot thoroughly explore. Still, the movie was very worth seeing. Excellent acting. I didn't think someone could make me like and understand the Duke. Ralph Fiennes made me understand him, and come close to liking him - or at least pitying him.… Expand

Too many historical biopics wallow in a shallow pond, emerging oddly hollow. Here the duchess finds that life with the duke shatters her preconceptions. Where is the love? The producers effectively use the heroic trappings as a setting for real drama too many people encounter today. In spending so much on the finery, sometimes the setting trumps the fragility. On balance, the duchess does what movies can do.… Expand

Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes have an intense chemistry; their marriage is a war zone and neither is backing down. The film is worth seeing if just for their interaction.

This film is one of the best of the year. It may not be the best movie ever made, but it is quite the royal treat, and Knightley gives the most powerful performace of her career. I'd say this film should be on everyone's to see list, and it's been added to my favorites, (it's not at the top though) but still great movie! And the costumes are spectacular! well done, awesome.

Exceeded expectations.

This movie, while sad, was a vision of beautiful costumes, hair, and locations. Loved Kiera's Duchess and despised the Duke. A movie worth spending $ on!

Great movie! Knightley and Fiennes are both quite good, but KK is the star here and does a surprisingly good job (because it's that good). The critics' reviews on here do not do the film justice. There is some fulff, but it is well-written, well-acted, and tugs at your heart. I think a lot of why the critics reviews on here aren't so great is beacuse it is a girl movie but obviously they got nothing from the movie b/c they are propogating the same attiudes toward women that the movie speaks about. I am not sure about how accurate it is but VERY good! liked it and i'm a tough crowd.… Expand

It is indeed a good movie, though not superb. The locations and settings are really pleasing. Every thing was decent, including actings.

Though it lacks the opulence and scale of Sophia Coppolla's Marie Antoinette it more than makes up for it with a great screenplay and some truly brilliant performances from Keira Knightley, Ralph Feinnes and Hayley Atwell, plus the legendary Charlotte Rampling in a small, but scene stealing role. The Duchess is one of those small gems you go in to with no expectations and leave surprized at just how much you fell into it.… Expand

Must be seen - brilliant stuff from Knightley and Feinnes.

The Duchess is a favourable movie in general. First of all, i have to say that Keira is so repetitive in her performance, that is the less i liked about the movie actually!!!! c'mon she can do a better performance because she is a really good actress. Finnes does a great job and really transmits his feelings with his simple look! He is definitely better than Keira through out the film. The custom design is wonderull and the art direction too. Maybe it is very monotonous and there is a point where you want to stop the movie! It has also very good pieces starting with the adaptation. Thes story is great and it is well narrated in the big screen. Its good to see!… Expand

Wonderful actors, a terrific script, and a thoroughly engaging story make this a must-see movie.

Film does a poor job in conveying the idea that Knightly's character was a charismatic, larger then life 18th century icon who was influential, and the Prices Di of her day. I got little sense of that from this movie. However, what the movie does depict well is the life and the world of an 18th century upperclass woman, trapped in a bad marriage.

Excellent period piece! Although true love, a child and sexual right were taken - she's a survivor! A leader for the people regardless of what was happening. A must see.

Very impressive art direction and costumes, brilliant. Good story, the acting is terrific. But as with many period pieces, there are some slow stretches. I never lost interest however. Excellent cinematography. Very meticulous in its detail.

It is an Oscar - worthy film.