The Duchess
DVD
Directed by Saul Dibb
Starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell
Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 27, 2008

Based on a true story, The Duchess is about desire, responsibility, and ultimately redemption. Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley of Pirates of the Caribbean), marries the Duke of Devonshire, a much older man, and all of her visions of love and marriage are quickly dispelled. The Duke (Ralph Fiennes of Harry Potter, and yes, he played Voldemort) approached his marriage as one of necessity, he needed to produce an heir and Georgiana would help him reach that goal. His desire turned into need and no thought was given to his future bride. His necessity determined her fate and little more was to be done or said about that. An interesting tenet is when Georgiana first learned of her upcoming nuptials. She was surprised and happy with the decision — surprised that the Duke had any interest in her and happy because she was told that love is found on first glances and impressions.

Responsibility plagues each of the characters differently and completely. Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell) is forced into an affair to save her children; Georgiana embraces her love-less marriage and turns away from her true love to save her children; and the Duke, well let’s just say that his responsibility is only unto himself as he finally sires an heir to his title. He answers to no one and dictates the lives of all around him. This is a testament to gender dynamics at the time.

The Duchess
Blu-ray Edition
Directed by Saul Dibb
Starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling, Hayley Atwell
Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 27, 2008

How wonderful would it be to be that free?

It is one of those quotes that can sum up an entire film and leave a lasting impression on you. It occurs when the Duke of Devonshire looking out his window of his estate finds children playing and laughing in his garden that is so well kept and groomed that the garden doesn’t even possess qualities of freedom. The wealth and power that certain people consume can’t give them freedom or happiness. Whether worrying about politics, wars, love affairs, or what to wear to an extravagant party, adult life, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, comes with shackles that can’t be undone. William Cavendish, the fifth Duke of England, of all people, wishes to wash his hands of all that surrounds him just so he can have what his power can’t buy: freedom.

The subplot involves talk of abolishing slavery and making citizens of England free, or somewhat free according to one politico, Mr. Fox. He discusses his thoughts at a dinner party at the Duke’s home. The Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana (Keira Knightley), injects her beliefs by indicating that one person can’t be partly free. A person is either free or not free according to Georgiana, who also believes strongly in revolutions. This is a woman before her time. Even though women at the time weren’t allowed to vote or state their opinions openly, she wasn’t going to let none of that burden her opinions on manly topics.