Kiera Knightly is just not my favourite; I find that she overdoes everything.

Before I decided to watch this movie, I read all the critics on this site and I now realize that most about the movie in question has been said already. Therefore, I’d rather share my feedback, for the main part of it, about other’s comments. It might not add new elements but at least it may reinforce some that have already been expressed. Firstly, about the topic itself: If you’re not interested in history and/or the feminine (not feminist) condition throughout ages, I confirm that you might want to pass because you might be bored; Secondly, if you’re looking for raw action and nurture very little interest for psychological thinking, I believe you too might want to move on to something else; About Keira Knigthley, some of the critics made me hope she might finally have found some way of really acting rather than just posing but unfortunately, from what I’ve seen, she is still as fake and vain as ever, in my opinion at least; I particularly enjoyed the remark of someone mentioning that he/she would have rather seen a more glamorous actress then her (Mrs. Knightley0 playing this part. I really laughed my head out considering the fact that Mrs. Knigthley seems to think so highly of her sex appeal, showering the audience with her pretentious mimics in every movie and picture she can be seen on. The only part were I differ with this person’s opinion is when it comes to acting. To me, Mrs. Knightley does not act, she only poses. And, yes, someone as glamorous (in my opinion at least) and as talented (I think that has been widely proven) as Charlize Theron, for example, would have been much more able to fit the role. I also agree with the person who was surprised at the choice of the “lover”. OK, he has no nobility despite his ideology since he can’t stand for the woman he loves but still…shouldn’t he have some charm to seduce her at least? He truly looks like the total loser to me… (not even good looking…) I think the only part I was really interested in was the part were her husband confesses that he wishes he was free as the kids playing around in the gardens… until they become adults… (Towards the end) as for the rest… nice decors, yes; nice gardens, yes; nice costumes, yes; but same old story, yes.

I can't believe Kiera Knightley was not even nominated for an Oscar (it doesn't matter if she won) Before watching this and The Reader, I thought both the movie and lead actress (Kiera) were much better. Great Story!! You should buy the DVD or rent it!

I am really glad that I got to see this movie. God the English can act. Ralph Fiennes is so good in this movie that it is almost indecent. Really worth it THUMBS UP!!!

Excellent performance by Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. It was a beautiful movie, visually. The costumes and cinematography were fantastic. Keira Knightley plays her best roles in these types of period pieces. Dominic Cooper is a terrible actor and should not have been chosen to play her great love. Otherwise, a good night at the movies. I sense an Oscar nom for Keira Knightley.

It was wild to see inside the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

Very very well done. An excellent insight to the woman's state of existence in that time period. I would have given it a 10, but wasn't thrilled with the music score.

I consider my money well spent - on this excellent movie, that is. A must see!

Excellent performance from Keira. Beautiful costume and landscape. Must see!

The similarity between the fates of Lady Diana Spencer and her ancestor, Lady Georgiana Spencer is haunting. Beutifully filmed and surperbly acted by all.

Does nothing but perpetuate the myth of "royalty" - Just another attempt at public relations from the elite who got rich by theft and murder.

Very great movie... great performance by Keira Knightley and of course Ralph Fiennes was just amazing... oscar worthy. Shows you the "hidden" life of aristocrat women that we didn't see in other movies.

Enjoyed the movie. Good acting and costumes. Would recommend it.

A wonderful and insightful film. The costumes were exceptional and the of course the acting was extraordinary.

This movie went straight to the discount theatre in my area and I am just so disappointed with people in general for apparently not giving this movie the recognition it so deserves. Can't understand why it didn't go to the main theatres first. It was a great movie and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Wonderfully acted and the sets and costumes magnificent! I recommend this movie with the highest marks I could possibly give.

This movie is a masterpiece, see it now!!! This movie is a real tearjerker. Bring some kleenex.

I thought it was a really good movie, but a tad on the long side.

The scenery/cinematography was beautiful but I expected a lot more from this production. Somewhat of a repetitious tale about unhappily married rich people.

I loved this movie. Keira Knightley was at her best... deserving of an Oscar. And Ralph Fiennes was also well cast and played his role magnificently... worthy of an Oscar. I loved the scenery and the costumes. There was an amazing parallel between Georgina's marriage to the Duke and the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. I kept thinking I was watching a movie about them. Things haven't changed that much!

Keira Knightley was excellent. You can see unfortunately how powerful men were over women at that time.

This movie is excellent in terms of costume and performance but the storyline could be better. I expected to see a more impressive love between the Duchess and the politician. But it was so flat and not emotional at all.

After ducking a really bad movie elsewhere I sat in on the Duchess. The acting is superb, Mr fines portrayed a duke perfectly, the best I've seen thus far. The story line is familiar to Princess Diana and Jane Austin novels so it wasn't a complete shock. What was shocking was the reaction I heard from the french female members of the audience all who seemed tear filled throughout the movie. If you bring your gf and if she's french, bring tissue! The culture of British aristocracy must seem awful to them.

This movie is well worth seeing. Ralph Fiennes is excellent, so much so that you'll dislike him... he plays his role to perfection. Kiera Knightley is also wonderful in her part and evokes our sympathy for the quandary in which she finds herself. Although life for some may have been glorious, this movie depicts the not so happy side for some of the wealthy, as well as the obvious invisibility of the lower classes. The beautiful palaces and the gorgeous costumes are just a pleasure to see. Don't miss this movie.

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Kiera Knightly in a bodice-ripper? That's a stretch. The film does have satisfying melodramatic moments: courtly anguish; frustrated passion; and genuine tragedy. It is hard to avoid making obvious parallels to Diana Spencer, Georgiana's descendant in spirit and in fact. Ralph Fiennes plays a boorish curmudgeon to the hilt... the films great moment is his declaration: "I do not make deals!" when faced with his obstinant wife, her affair and appeal for a rapprochement all can live with. Costuming and stately sets are remarkable. Every scene at table, in the gambling parlour or in drawing room dance is elegant. The Duchess of Devonshire set the tone for society. It is tragic that her personal life was so grim. Today we have egalitarianism, liberalism, post-moderism... and a host of other 'isms' creating a polyglot polity. The film communicated the repression and constraint in a very dangerous era, but the Regency had its own complex sense of gravitas. After all, the Duke did take in 6 year old Charlotte when she was orphaned, if not an act of compassion, it was a paternal duty. I wonder if Prince Charles would have done as much in that era?

Breath-taking. Found myself totally immersed in the characters, their plight and the era. Not being a Keira Knightly fan, I do think she did an excellent job as Georgiana... seemed to be reaching toward her greater potential as an actor. Ralph Fiennes was surprisingly nasty in this film... wasn't expecting to dislike his character so much. He definitely gets my vote for Oscar - best supporting actor. This movie is definitely worth seeing on the big screen to experience full effect. Enjoy!

Wonderful acting, intelligent dialogue, beautiful costumes and locations.

Really enjoyed this film. Beautiful to look at, interesting story. Loved it.

So, my girlfriend "forced" me to see this movie and I must say it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be because I'm not in to history movies such as this one. But it was good.

O My Goodness... this movie was awesome, Great performance from the actors. I think it deserves an oscar.

For those out there that enjoy the long period movies. It is a must see, this is the movie for you. Not a happy go lucky love movie, but life it self seldom is. I agree with another comment that it did seem to be lacking a bit in the story line, so I'm going to be reading the book. Help put the pieces together. I'm also not a huge Keira Knightly fan, she did a fantastic performance with the character as well as Ralph Fiennes. Worth seeing in the theater.

I like Keira Knightly. I have seen all her movies.

Pointless, pretencious, similarity with Princess Diana-what for? No content, etc, etc.

Good acting (Ralph Fiennes was excellent) and lovely visually, but I found myself hoping it would hurry up and be over. Much too long for me to sit through seemingly endless close-ups of an unhappy Duchess.

This is a very good movie and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Beautifully filmed, a great story line. And the costumes are gorgeous. It really gave me a sense of what life was like for the nobility of the period. This one should be there at academy award time if for nothing else but the costumes alone. A cinematic masterpiece.

Riveting... deep... heart wrenching... loved it!!! Well done!

A movie I would see a second time. Keira Knightley was at her best. Amazing parallel to the life of Diana. A true story that reminds us how alone and powerless one can feel even amidst fame and riches!

This is a wonderful film - excellent acting, and a very good story. It is also visually beautiful, and gives you a good sense of life (especially for women) at that time. (But my boyfriend liked it too, so it isn't just a chick flick.)

For anyone who enjoys a historically based movie, then I recommend it! Performances are oscar worthy and the story line is incredible.

If you enjoy English history, love sumptuous period costumes of the aristocracy and royalty, verdant landscapes and investigations of the various manifestations of love, run, don't walk, to savour this fabulous film. If you want to munch on nachos with your teenage boyfriend checking your text messages frequently, spend your money on tickets to some "cool" flick elsewhere. The Duke of Devonshire character was a study in adult Asperger's syndrome, socially clueless enough to make you cringe. Charlotte Rampling gave an outstanding performance as a direct ancestor of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Keira Knightley was completely engaging as Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess, of the film title.

Very well made film... masterpiece theatre on screen... good cast Ralph Fiennes worthy of a supporting oscar... great story reminded me of all the british films after the war... wicked lady... blanche fury etc. etc. etc... Keira Knightley does her best but not a favorite of mine, always a pleasure to see Charlotte Rampling... works torarely in british film... Dominic Cooper too immature for his role and too small...

It's an okay movie. It could have been better. It could have been a mini-series. I got the sense there was much more that was left out. It felt like the movie ended suddenly. Ralph Fiennes performance was awesome as a man who really didn't say much of anything but conveyed so much through his gestures and actions.

Nice movie, I'm not too big on history "back in the day" movies, but the actors were great.

[...] The Princess Diana is not an ancestor to the Duchess of Devonshire, she is a descendant.

If you like period films for their settings and clothes, then the visuals alone are worthy of your time. If you like period films because they immerse you in the mores and views of the era, then this film is a must. The relationship of men and women of the aristocracy is portrayed in an forgettable way. Keira Knightly's portrayal of a woman caught up in her role in life who is initially delighted in her marital match, only to find out the its true implications on the rest of her life, is very well done. This being a true story makes it even more compelling. Recommended.

I really liked this movie. You think women can't do half the things men do?!?! Think again lol. I liked it because she did whatever she wanted without caring.

Amazing movie... If you like history, drama, and the powerful acting of Kiera Knightly go ahead and watch this movie. It is really good.

I loved it. The acting and the plot of the story are amazing. If you are some one who likes novels, drama, history, and the powerful acting of Kiera Knightly go ahead and watch this movie.

Wow! Amazing and surprising, and not your typical period drama. The story is amazing, and so is the acting.