Cinema Junkie by Beth Accomando

Keira Knightley as The Duchess may look like she doesn't have a care in the world but don't be fooled. (Paramount Vantage)

By Shelby Iacometti

When I signed up to see The Duchess (opened September 26 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas), I had no idea how intense it would be. I thought it would be a sweet little romance, but instead I got a tragedy.

Okay, so back in the 1800s it was a big deal to get with the big macho titles. And the rank of Duke is a pretty big one. So of course when a girl's mom tells her a duke wants to marry her and that he loves her, she is gonna go for it. The thing is that the all the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes) really cared about was getting a male heir. Another thing in the 1800s is that many married men had mistresses. And the Duke was no different. But he effed up pretty bad when he made one of the friends of his wife Duchess Georgiana (Keira Knightley) his mistress. So he had a mistress and he was pretty cold-hearted. He seemed to have no feelings whatsoever. So I pretty much hated his character. And then when the Duchess tried to be with the man SHE loved, the Duke went and screwed her over.

Though it may sound like I am hating on the movie, I am not. I loved this movie, from the actors -- including Keira Knightly, Ralph Fiennes, Domonic Cooper, and Hayley Atwell -- to the clothes. From all the witty jokes by the Duchess to the dull remarks the Duke made that seemed to make everyone, including myself, laugh.

I definitely recommend The Duchess (rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and thematic material), but I will warn you, to not go in expecting a totally light-hearted movie. Anyways, go watch it and enjoy it!!

--Shelby Iacometti is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. She thought it would be cool to share her thoughts about film with others. She cites Taking 5, Cinderella, The Girl Next Door, Wicker Park and the Saw series as her favorite movies (but she says it was a tough call narrowing the choices to five).

James Stampley
October 09, 2008 at 06:22 PM
This review made me not want to see the movie. To be honest, I didn't want to watch it in the first place, but this "description" of the movie was pretty terrible. It's like you made it in 6 minutes. However, I do like how you explained how the characters in the movie had issues with eachother, and told everyone how you felt about their issues.

kimi allen
October 09, 2008 at 06:24 PM
In your review i think you should have given more of a background to the movie. Also that the choice of words needed to be better instead of effin and screwed. I do love how you explained that the movie was un-predictable and a fantastic drama film.

Muhamed Smajic from Mount Miguel High School
October 09, 2008 at 07:55 PM
The Dutchess would be impressed with this review. It was well put, and now that I have read it... I wouldn't mind watching it, the way you stated who the characters are and you set a very short summary of the movie, so now when i see it i will know what it is about. But on the other hand, I woundn't watch this movie because Im not into romantic movies. But you have written a very well review.

Muhamed Smajic from Mount Miguel High School
October 09, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I agree with Kimi, becasue the review did not tell me any background information, and it had only some details about the character. I also agree with Kimi on he better word choice.