Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has been hailed as the “perfect ending” to the long-running period drama in its first reviews.
The third and final film, which comes after six seasons and 52 episodes, brings an end to the story that began all the way back in 2010, with the action following the Crawley family as they enter the 1930s.
“When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal caused by her divorce and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace,” reads the logline.
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Written by Julian Fellowes once again, the film boasts a stacked ensemble cast including Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Allen Leech, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt and Phyllis Logan.
Ahead of its theatrical release on Friday (12 September), the first reviews for the period drama have come in, and it looks like it’s struck a chord with critics judging by Rotten Tomatoes‘ approval rating of 91% from 23 reviews.
You can read a selection of reviews below:
Rory Mulvey//Universal
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“At least there is a sense throughout that everyone’s story will be tied up in a neat little bow before a final scene that succeeds in being both a sad and sweet farewell… If this really is a final goodbye to Downton Abbey, at least it is a warm one.”
“Though Fellowes has indicated Downton Abbey could live on in the future through new characters, this [film] is as close to a perfect ending as the franchise could get… Anyone who has loved these characters will enjoy getting closure.”
“The film is very silly and always watchable in its weird way, with those eccentrically emphasised shots of characters thanking each other for their thoughtfulness.”
Rory Mulvey//Universal
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“Considering this is now the third film to be presented as the show’s definitive conclusion, I sincerely hope Downton Abbey heeds it. This is about as graceful and fitting an endnote as you could hope for.”
“It brings more of the same to the table, but peppers it with just enough hints of nostalgia (and narrative finality) to make this umpteenth ending feel definitive.”
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is released in cinemas on 12 September.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. Â His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
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