The Duchess

Name: The Duchess
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Released: September 19, 2008
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Dominic Cooper, Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes

2008

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Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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The Duchess

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Vantage | Release Date: September 19, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Dominic Cooper, Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes

Summary: Long before the concept existed, the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer, was the original “It Girl.” Like her direct ancestor Princess Diana, she was ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she proved that she could out-gamble, out-drink and outwit most of theLong before the concept existed, the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer, was the original “It Girl.” Like her direct ancestor Princess Diana, she was ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she proved that she could out-gamble, out-drink and outwit most of the aristocratic men who surrounded her. She helped usher in sweeping changes to England as a leader of the forward-thinking Whig Party. But even as her power and popularity grew, she was haunted by the fact that the only man in England she seemingly could not seduce was her very own husband, the Duke. And when she tried to find her own way to be true to her heart and loyal to her duty, the resulting controversies and convoluted liaisons would leave all of London talking. (Paramount Vantage)… Expand

Director: Saul Dibb

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 110 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

This is not one of those delightful movies based on a Jane Austen novel. It is about hard realists, constrained in a stifling system and using whatever weapons they can command. Read full review

David Edelstein

An uncommonly well-crafted historical feminist tearjerker--both anti-patriarchal and a monument to motherhood. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Princess Diana's antecedent, both genetically and figuratively, was a beautiful and glamorous duchess named Georgiana Spencer. Like her descendant, her charm and vivacity captivated England. Read full review

Marc Mohan

Ultimately, though, it's unfortunate that the movie tries to make so many oblique comparisons to more modern tragedy (paparazzi with sketchbooks; yes, we get it!), since Georgiana's life seems fascinating enough on its own. Read full review

Ty Burr

At a certain point, The Duchess stops attending to the topiary and becomes a women's melodrama instead. Read full review

John Anderson

It's too bad there's not more substance to The Duchess, because there's lots of acting and, as is required of a Brit-styled period piece, lushness galore. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Everything is predictable three scenes in advance, and it's all stale, stuck, stolid. Read full review

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User Reviews

AndresV.

Feb 9, 2009

very good movie, but no perfect! great perfomances