I also thought Fiennes was excellent, and can't picture another actor doing as fine a job with the role. I don't think his performance incites empathy with the character, as much as layering him as more multi-dimensional than the standard “villain” of such a piece. However, whether or not this automatically creates “empathy”(as opposed to a simple understanding of where the man himself is coming from) could be debated endlessly. I'll simply say I still thought of the Duke as a more well-off scumbag than most.

Your “Georgiana Circle” sounds interesting. Very best of luck with it!

This is definitely one of the more satisfying costume dramas I've seen in a good long while. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give it a chance.

I think the film did a fairly good job of juxtaposing Georgiana's public adulation with the Duke's inattentiveness, although I do believe there weren't scenes which showed how people tittered and gossipped about her, aside from recreations of one or two newspaper articles of the time.

I definitely agree that the financial meltdown contributed significantly to the film's early theatrical demise, as well as the death of other films which deserved a better showing at the box office, such as Appaloosa. Thanks for commenting.

I also thought Fiennes was excellent, and can't picture another actor doing as fine a job with the role. I don't think his performance incites empathy with the character, as much as layering him as more multi-dimensional than the standard “villain” of such a piece. However, whether or not this automatically creates “empathy”(as opposed to a simple understanding of where the man himself is coming from) could be debated endlessly. I'll simply say I still thought of the Duke as a more well-off scumbag than most.

Your “Georgiana Circle” sounds interesting. Very best of luck with it!

This is definitely one of the more satisfying costume dramas I've seen in a good long while. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give it a chance.

I think the film did a fairly good job of juxtaposing Georgiana's public adulation with the Duke's inattentiveness, although I do believe there weren't scenes which showed how people tittered and gossipped about her, aside from recreations of one or two newspaper articles of the time.

I definitely agree that the financial meltdown contributed significantly to the film's early theatrical demise, as well as the death of other films which deserved a better showing at the box office, such as Appaloosa. Thanks for commenting.

I found Ralph Fiennes' performance to be outstanding. Though, it is frustrating that Fiennes makes one empathize with the Duke. Because of Ralph Fiennes, the viewer almost considers applying new age forgiveness on a person who may or may not have deserved any ounce of sympathy.

The book is even more fascinating. An excellent study in women in the 18th century, and also a close look at a group of the oppressed struggling together in their oppression (and sometimes hurting each other because of it.)

I started a new blog “Georgiana Circle: Women Healing History” to talk about Georgiana and other women in history.

I'd suggest, however, that the film's biggest problem in attracting an audience may have been forces entirely out of its control–i.e., the financial meltdown that coincided with its release in September. Even the well-to-do demographic that would have been the film's natural audience was in no mood this fall to see a period drama about English high society in the 18th century.

Good film, though.