'The only actress in the village' - Knightley in 'The Duchess'

[madeleinestjust]

Gah! I would love to see this film, as I've read and re-read Amanda Foreman's biography of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, but Keira Knightley, for heaven's sake? She doesn't even pass as an eighteenth century clothes horse - the best corset in the world couldn't shove her boobs up over her ribcage!

The trailerWhy not wheel out another period

Comments

[wiliqueen]

padawansguide has been keeping an eye on it, and has screencaps from the trailer on her PhotoBucket account.

[madeleinestjust]

Thanks! Stunning costumes, some even based on portraits of Georgiana, but Keira still looks more like Keeley Hawes with an 80s perm than an eighteenth century beauty. And my stars, if one of her co-stars isn't Ugly Willoughby from Sense and Sensibility (2008)! *headdesk*

[miss_nightowl]

Sorry, but how is this related to The Scarlet Pimpernel?
Never heard of this, but it doesn´t seem to be by the same author?

[madeleinestjust]

It's not, only in a very vague, eighteenth century tangent of a connection: Georgiana was like a real-life Marguerite St Just, the toast of society and a great beauty. I read Amanda Foreman's biography to learn about the era and the upper classes, but fell in love with Georgiana's amazing personality and eventful life.

That, and nobody was posting anything, so I thought, 'What the hey!'

[miss_nightowl]

Aha OK. I thought I knew my Pimpernel and was seriously concerned something had gone over my head.

[lotusflower85]

I've seen the trailer with the not-so-subtle inferences to Princess Di. Who was in that marketing meeting?

Ramola Garai is great for period roles - she actually looks as if she belongs to that time. Kiera, while she is passable with very good direction, just should not be playing roles like these. It makes me not want to see it.

[madeleinestjust]

I've seen the trailer with the not-so-subtle inferences to Princess Di. Who was in that marketing meeting?

That's exactly what I thought - how tenuous can you get?

Ramola Garai is great for period roles - she actually looks as if she belongs to that time.

Most especially Victorian/Edwardian, but I think she could carry fuzzy wigs and large hats, too! Keira Knightley is an 'It' girl - she's beautiful (in stills and photographs) today, but her attraction is not timeless.

[toi_marguerite]

... Kiera Knightly?

Argh. I am torn between my absolute hatred of her (nooooo acting talent! None at all!) and my love of the Duchess of Devonshire. That was such a poor choice.She looks like a skeleton! And what's up with the unbelivable lack of powdered hair? Ugh. Kiera Knightly needs to learn that she ruins whatever period piece she's in. I canot express the full extent of my utter loathing for the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. If ugly!Willoughby is Charles Grey, I think I'll start crying.

Have you seen this website, btw? http://georgianaduchessofdevonshire.blogspot.com/

[madeleinestjust]

Have you seen this website, btw? http://georgianaduchessofdevonshire.blogspot.com/

Ooh, no, I haven't, thank you! That's stunning, I'll have to spend some time reading back through the archives, I think!

Any alternate, logical casting suggestions for Georgiana?

(Love your icon, by the way!)

[toi_marguerite]

Why thank you! :D I was just admiring yours.

It is a super-fun site! I've been browsing the archives whenever I get a chance. I found it when I was googling Eliza Farren, yet another actress and fashion plate during the French Revolution (hopefully her Whig ideology makes up for her British nationality ;D).

I agree with Ramola Garai. She was perfect in Vanity Fair. She could easily pull off Georgiana. Jennifer Ehle would be fascinating in the role, too.

[madeleinestjust]

I was just admiring yours.

Merci! A nod, of course, to the 1934 film, and rather slick way Merle Oberon managed to announce that her character is supposed to be French, despite the cut-glass English accent ;)

I found it when I was googling Eliza Farren, yet another actress and fashion plate during the French Revolution (hopefully her Whig ideology makes up for her British nationality ;D).

Have you read Emma Donoghue's book about Eliza (and Lord Derby, and their mutual chum, Anne Damer), 'Life Mask'? I'm not sure I'd wholeheartedly recommend it - if you know anything at all about the period, it can come across as a tad patronising - but she sketches the characters of these three real-life figures very well. I preferred Eliza, who is a lot like Marguerite - flawed, conceited, but human. Both she and Anne are initially unbending in their ideologies and principles, but they learn to recognise the many shades of grey as their lives progress.

I agree with Ramola Garai. She was perfect in Vanity Fair. She could easily pull off Georgiana

[mellifluous_ink]

'Knightley, for her chiselled beauty and cut-glass accent, only excels at playing Keira Knightley.'

SO TRUE. THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT.