The end has finally come to the long-running series by Julian Fellowes, which premiered in September 2010. It’s pretty much 15 years to the day that the last film of the trilogy will be released. The first film revolves around the upstairs/downstairs tensions of the Crawley family as they get ready for a visit from King George V and Queen Mary (which is based on real events). The second one features a film-within-a-film storyline where Hollywood arrives at Downton during the decline of silent films and the rise of ‘talkies.’ This time, it’s set in the 1930s, and the spotlight is on the magnificent aristocratic estate itself, as the Crawleys have to bid farewell due to economic struggles and social shifts.

Fellowes remains the sole screenwriter across all three films, so there’s some level of consistency there. Unlike the first film, which tried to juggle too many plot lines, Fellowes managed to pare things down in the last two, both directed by Simon Curtis. Fellowes has skillfully integrated real historical events into the franchise, such as the sinking of the Titanic, the British monarchy, and this time, the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which looms over the family. The main theme that runs through the veins of the last three films is embracing change; it’s even more pronounced in this one as the Crawleys’ aristocratic way of life has become unsustainable. It’s likely not a shock to most viewers that Lady Grantham’s brother, Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti), hasn’t exactly been the best caretaker of the Levinsons’ inheritance. To put it simply, the family can no longer rely on Cora’s money to save Downton.

To add to the trouble, the family’s name takes a hit when Lady Mary’s (Michelle Dockery) divorce from her second husband, Henry Talbot, makes headlines in the newspapers. Even in the 30s, long before social media entered the chat, juicy gossip spread quickly, resulting in her being shunned by society. The moment when Mary is actually escorted out of a fancy London gala is portrayed in a pretty funny way, but it’s obviously devastating for Mary, who had to catch a taxi home all alone. Her parents, Cora and Robert Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville), are on her corner, but in the end, they have to follow protocol, which is par the course for the aristocrats.

It’s pretty fascinating how there are some similar themes between this and The Gilded Age, which was also made by Fellowes, especially with divorce being a key plot point. I have to admit that The Gilded Age captivates me more because the stakes are way higher, and you actually get to see the business aspect of life since even the wealthy have real jobs that bring in money, unlike the Crawleys. Robert’s total disconnect from reality is quite comical. When Mary asks him to tour a London flat as their potential new home, he refers to it as a ‘kind of layer cake of strangers,’ unable to comprehend that there are individuals living both above and below his own floor, outside of his familiar household. It’s really a humbling time for Lord Grantham while his former staff, such as former chauffeur Tom Branson (Allen Leech) gets even wealthier.

Interwoven with the ‘Crawleys downsizing’ is Lady Mary’s risqué dalliance with Harold’s suave American business partner Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola). After learning of his real motive, Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) gets to show her assertive side with Gus at the Royal Ascot. There’s also something less scandalous, the planning for the annual county fair. The ever-so-forward-thinking Lady Merton (Penelope Wilton) irks the pompous, ultra-conservative Sir Moreland (Simon Russell Beale) by inviting “commoners,” recently-retired butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), and newly-appointed Downton cook Daisy (Sophie McShera) to the county planning meetings.

There’s even a visit from a real-life playwright, Noël Coward (Arty Froushan, looking fetching with a twinkle in his eyes), whose play, starring Guy Dexter (Dominic West), opens the film. Former Downton footman-turned-screenwriter Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle) is the comic relief once again as he pretends to be a footman for the night in order to get Dexter’s and Coward’s attention. The scene of Coward singing at the piano is a particularly energetic moment in the film that reinforces the progressive themes. He’s later joined by Guy and his not-so-secret lover, Thomas (Robert James-Collier), the Crawleys’ former footman. Thomas gets his happy ending after all with Guy, a nice contrast from his life of isolation at Downton due to his sexuality. The times they are a-changin’ to be sure.

There are plenty of inside jokes and nostalgia for fans of the series, but the plot is rather predictable and safe. The ‘threat of social disgrace’ doesn’t really amount to much in the end since the solution appears to come together quite conveniently. The ‘downstairs’ characters often turn out to be the heroes who rescue those ‘upstairs’, and that’s exactly what happens here, thanks to Anna Bates’ (Joanne Froggatt) ingenuity.

At one point, Robert quotes T.S. Eliot’s famous poem ‘This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper, referring to his family’s situation. Well, that quote could easily be applied to this final film. The only ‘grand’ thing is the cinematography of Ben Smithard that showcases the stately Victorian Highclere Castle from every angle. It wouldn’t be Downton without John Lunn‘s elegant string arrangements and heartfelt themes that have remained steady throughout the series and movies.

While Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale may not be the epic conclusion the filmmakers intended, it remains a fun watch for those who love period dramas. The set design, costumes, etc, are still as impeccable as ever. I really miss Violet, aka the Crawleys’ matriarch, Dowager Countess, portrayed with such delightful wit and charm by the late Dame Maggie Smith, but her spirit lingers through conversations and the beautiful portrait displayed in Downton’s main hall. Watching Downton Abbey often feels like indulging in comfort food or sipping a cozy cup of tea, and this Grand Finale stays true to that warm and fuzzy atmosphere.

Have you seen Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale? Let me know what you think!

…