STORYLINE: When Mary finds herself in a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future. (IMDb)

   Merchant Ivory set the standard with period pieces, with films such as Howard’s End (1992) and Remains of the Day (1993).  Of course, the conversation about period pieces has to include adaptations of the works of Jane Austen.  1995’s Sense & Sensibility and Pride   & Predjuice (2005) come to the fore front.  Other period pieces can be epic war films (Glory, 1989) and historical musicals (The Phantom of the Opera, 2004).  There are even period pieces within the horror genre (The Witch, 2016).  The television series Downton Abbey was sprawled over many years and now tge third film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, has made its grand debut in theaters.

    The film seems designed to be made for the matinee crowd.  While I don’t have a reference point for evening showings, I did go on a Tuesday afternoon and was one of over sixty audience members.  Discount tickets on Tuesdays could have also berm a factor in that attendance. 

   Seeing that this is The Grand Finale this ended up being a love letter to the show, and understandably so.  

    Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was not the epic tale that was woven in the films of Merchant Ivory.  Downton Abbey was never designed to be.  To me, Downton Abbey, has been more fluff while Merchant Ivory has h taken the more serious route. The Grand Finale continues the tradition of Downton Abbey.

   It’s hard to continue Downton Abbey without Maggie Smith because the two are symbiotic.  Though nit in the film, her presence was felt throughout the film.

    If you’re a regular fan of the series, this will be a fitting send off.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!