‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ Review – An Emotional Farewell Powered By Proper Perseverance

Synopsis: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.

Change, whether good, bad, or necessary, can be difficult for even the most confident and well-prepared person. The future is filled with an infinite number of unknowns, and that can be terrifying to ponder. However, if you have a support system, even if just one person, to pick you up when you’re down and defend you in your absence, the journey into the unknown is likely to be a successful one.

“She won’t find it easy being an outcast.”

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. However, if there are no tears or excitement, it’s simply a waste. Luckily, this film has both and more. Directed by Simon Curtis, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is an emotional farewell powered by proper perseverance. The film is charming, heartwarming, incredibly dramatic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the tea is piping hot. With a scandal that causes more distancing than COVID, and the financial woes of the 1930s, there’s only one thing that can save the Crawley family: each other.

This last hurrah is a gracious thank you to all of the fans. While the film has a broad appeal, it was made with a specific audience in mind: those who have been on this 15-year journey and have fallen in love with these characters. However, that’s not to say that a newcomer or casual fan won’t enjoy themselves. The family-focused feature is crafted in an easily accessible manner. However, there are names, actions, and references that will be unfamiliar. Not to mention that some of the visual storytelling may leave you a bit stranded with a disappointed Lady Mary Talbot look on your face. The retirements won’t hit you as hard. Daisy getting a chance to lead won’t affect you as much, and that picture of Dame Maggie Smith’s Violet Crawley may not have the same significance. And while that may frustrate some, as I said previously, this is for the Downtonians, and there is nothing wrong with that.

“Convention makes cowards of us all.”

Now, it should come as no surprise that the crux of the story is about family. However, the depth of love and cohesion that is displayed in this outing feels particularly potent. I could be completely wrong in that analysis, as I am a casual fan; nevertheless, it requires acknowledgment, as it’s a huge component to the film’s enjoyment. Opening to neon lights and London alive with theater, change is happening fast, and not everyone is comfortable with it. High taxes are affecting everyone, and the stock market crash has brought Cora’s brother, Harold, to Downton’s doorstep. Unfortunately, to add to everything else going on, the New York playboy is not alone. And like any good gossip in high society, everyone knows. Fortunately, for the Crawleys, they stick together like no other. From upstairs to downstairs, they rally around each other, ensuring that no slander will be tolerated, and the sexist sentiments of old are coming to an end.

This may be an end, but I’m not sure if it’s THE end. As chapters are closing and new ones are starting, Downton Abbey is merely evolving. It feels as much like the beginning of a new era as it does a final goodbye. With that said, I can see a spinoff of sorts being birthed from this, if that’s what Downtonians want. The Grand Finale is a smile-inducing tearjerker. It’s vibrant, stylish, and delivers an ending that smacks you with a rush of memories and emotions. The script is sharp and filled to the brim with wit. The direction is seamless, and the performances are damn-near perfect. Also, it’s just a lot of fun. Its rewatchability is medium-high.

Pace & Pop

The controlled whirlwind pacing is what thrusts this send-off into a statisphere of enjoyment for day one fans and those who caught the train along the way. The 2-hour runtime is not only necessary and completely utilized, but it also draws in those watching for the first time. What popped for me was the rhythmic flow of the story and the cadence of the dialogue. Whether it’s from years of building perfect chemistry, a solid script, or a combination of the two, there’s a noticeable ease of effort.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Paul Copley, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt, Paul Giamatti, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Douglas Reith, Penelope Wilton

I can’t think of too many franchises with as many rich and full characters as Downton Abbey. From top to bottom, there are no wasted roles, and the personalities are incredibly distinct. The chemistry between everyone is unmatched. In true ensemble fashion, I can pick out favorite characters, but no singular performance stands out from the rest. Truly, if you were to omit any one character that has more than two lines, the film does not work as well as it does. With that said, I really enjoy Michelle Dockery as Mary and Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley Grey. Oh, and there’s a scene where Edith (Lara Carmichael) comes to the defense of her sister, which made her a new favorite of mine. Maybe I should go finish the series.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale takes its last bow on September 12, 2025. Stay safe and hold tight.

Rated: PG Runtime: 2h 3m Director: Simon Curtis Screenplay: Julian Fellowes Producers: Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes, Liz Trubridge Executive Producer: Nigel Marchant Director of Photography: Ben Smithard Production Design: Donal Woods Editor: Adam Recht Costume Design: Anna Robbins Hair & Makeup: Anne ‘Nosh’ Oldham Composer: John Lunn Historical Advisor: Alastair Bruce Co-producer: Mark Hubbard Casting: Jill Trevellick