Newly wed to the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes), Georgiana (Keira Knightley), the new Duchess, has been given two tasks: produce a male heir and undying loyalty to the Duke. With a husband who is cold and indifferent and seemingly unable to produce a male heir, Lady Georgiana indulges in her popularity as a fashion plate and other vices for happiness. Turning a blind eye to her own husband's dalliances with Georgiana's best friend, Bess (Hayley Atwell), the Duchess begins her own with dreamer politician Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper). In turn, the Duke uses his influence, wealth, and authority to limit her freedom all the while parading his own infidelities.
The Duchess takes a more soap operatic tone to the tale of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Opinionated and self-aware, unheard of in women of her time, Georgiana was immensely popular and influential in socio-political circles. It was in her own home, that Georgiana suffered the most. Director Saul Dibb creates an extravagant, if fluffy, period drama.
Ralph Fiennes and Keira Knightley give remarkable performances, providing depth where there is little. The two have a tortured chemistry, playing a severely unhappily married couple. Fiennes is able to make the Duke thoroughly evil, but still human. As the Duchess, Knightley gives a beautifully nuanced, tortured performance. The supporting cast of characters are the ones that need further development. There is no chemistry between the Duchess and Cooper's Grey. Additionally, for being the other woman, the 'third wheel', the other lady in the marriage, Atwell's Lady Bess Foster is sadly flat and inconsequential. Charlotte Rampling as Lady Spencer, the Duchess' mother and primary counsel is a pleasant surprise.
Opulent costuming and settings help create a stunning piece, but subtlety seems to be the mark of our director. The film is uncluttered with dialogue. Instead, Dibb allows subtle palate changes to mark our character's place in the aristocracy. Delicately nuanced gazes, a slight of hand, or heated silence take precedence.
Period pieces as such always fascinate. Whether it's the wigs or the torrid underbelly of a straight laced society, The Duchess is no difference. Knightley's performance as Georgiana, navigating the treacherous waters of an unhappy marriage and the confining rigors of polite aristocracy makes it worth watching.
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