The Duchess

A period film about the Duchess of Devonshire and her marriage to the Duke.

Ralph Fiennes and Keira Knightley deliver solid performances as the Duke and
Duchess of Devonshire.  The plot centers around Georgianna, a soon-to-be Duchess, who is married off as a teen to a man of great wealth and social standing.  Living in a loveless marriage at a time when it was legal for a man to beat his wife
with a stick (provided it was no thicker than his thumb), the Duchess is forced to put up with her husband’s infidelity while at the same time, yearning to experience true love.  The film masterfully captures the mise-en-scene of decadent upper class England in the late 18th Century. From costumes to set design, The Duchess is a feast for the eyes and a must-see for all lovers of period films, fashionistas, and history buffs. ASTRID