The Duchess (2008, Paramount)
purchase this DVD (Amazon)

Period pieces have to fight an uphill battle, from the moment a studio decides to press forward and make them. They’re a niche market, to be sure; no computers or other modern contrivances for the characters to use in aid of plot points. No one flying through the sky, either in X-wing fighters or under their own power. Not a lot of rough language, for those of that particular bent. Period pieces have the singularly unique blight of being all lumped together as the same type of story, simply told in slightly different ways each time…in other words: BORING. Aside from 1998’s Elizabeth, which bestowed Cate Blanchett upon the world, one would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of recent period pics that even came close to making their budget back.

The Duchess–released so long ago, back in September of ‘08–was only the latest to not earn returns on its relatively modest $25 mil budget. The U.S. trailer was woefully unremarkable (an obvious result of Paramount Vantage’s marketing division being unable to properly distinguish it), while the U.K. trailer (the film was produced in association with BBC Films)–much more artfully and interestingly done–attempted to draw comparisons between the central character, the Duchess Georgiana Cavendish of Devonshire, and the late Princess Diana of Wales, who was of some blood relation. While the comparisons between their lives–that of women trapped in loveless marriages, unable to fully live their lives as they choose due to duties of family, duty and the confines of aristocracy–are both relevant and accurate, on this point The Duchess was also doomed because of the poor timing of its release. Had the film been released back in 1997 following Diana’s untimely death, it would have done boffo box office biz.

Then again, star Keira Knightley would have only been 12 years old and unable to assume the part…and it is her performance, along with Ralph Fiennes’, which serve as the definitive linchpins of the film. (more…)