[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s movie and TV reviews by Mike Peros look at Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and Highest 2 Lowest.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Review
So I arrived late to the Downton Abbey party, as I didn’t watch it during its original run, and only caught up with it prior to the first film. But now, having watched all the episodes (and the two previous films), I can say it was a pretty entertaining show, and the movies, including Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, are elaborate, elegant, and surprisingly emotional films that preserve all that worked in the series—and build on them. To be sure, to fully appreciate Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (with screenplay by creator Julian Fellowes and direction by Simon Curtis), it does help if you have a passing acquaintance with the series and have seen the previous film—but it can still be enjoyed on its own terms. It also helps if you understand that a number of the family’s problems are not our problems (unless having to decide whether to give up one of your homes and move into an apartment is high on your list of concerns).
However, there are other ideas that should resonate, particularly the treatment and perception of women (especially the shunning of divorced women, in the wake of, in this case, a public divorce), the role of the media, and the difficulty and necessity of coping with change. At stake here is Lady Mary’s (Michelle Dockery) reputation, the fiscal future of Downton Abbey (courtesy of some blunders by American cousin Harold (a nicely understated Paul Giamatti), and Hugh Bonneville’s Robert wrestling with the changing times and whether to pass the torch onto the younger generation. There is also a little more obvious villainy on display (courtesy of Harold’s unscrupulous associate, played by Alessandro Nivola—as well as some touching scenes depicting how the families (both “Upstairs’ and “Downstairs” are able to overcome slight differences and support each other. As the closing chapter, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Chapter is a most satisfying entry that considers the present, looks to the future, and is not forgetful of the past.
For Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale movie tickets and more info: https://www.focusfeatures.com/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale
Highest 2 Lowest Review
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are together again in Highest 2 Lowest, a remake of the classic Akira Kurosawa film (starring Kurosawa’s frequent muse, Toshiro Mifune), which in turn was an adaptation of Ed McBain’s procedural King’s Ransom. The plot concerns a wealthy business tycoon at a pivotal juncture in his life (both adaptations contain corporate intrigue) who is presented with another more pressing problem. He is told his son has been kidnapped—only to find out soon after that the kidnappers have made a mistake and kidnapped his chauffeur’s son. Which begs the question: Does he pay (and potentially lose everything) or not pay—and lose everything in a different way? In this version, Washington’s David King is a music mogul, a man with the best ears in the business, and one who wishes to remain current in a changing music scene.
The first half-hour establishes the challenging nature of King’s personal and business relationships, his son (Aubrey Joseph), his wife (Ilfenesh Hedera), and —until he receives the phone call about his son—and the “king’s ransom” that is demanded. What Washington’s King decides shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but there is some effective soul-searching along the way. Lee’s film, once certain decisions have been made, becomes almost a paean to the city itself, with its colorful energy and rhythms, which play into the narrative in various ways. The filmmaking flash rarely camouflages the issues of class struggle (and warfare), family values, and the role of law and order. Without revealing too much, the second half is propelled by some tense interactions among King and both the kidnapper and the police (led by John Douglas Thompson, LaChanze, and Dean Winters), a number of effective one-on-one confrontations, and a foot chase that offers a nice homage to The French Connection. And again, without spoiling too much, music plays a big role in King’s salvation. Besides a fine Washington (both in serious contemplation and in action), Jeffrey Wright does his usual good work as King’s chauffeur and friend. Highest 2 Lowest is now streaming on Apple+ and it’s well worth a look.
For more information on Highest 2 Lowest: https://a24films.com/films/highest-2-lowest
– Mike Peros
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Dan Duryea: Heel with a Heart
Published by University Press of Mississippi