Downton Abbey offers two hours with the beloved cast of the "Upstairs, Downstairs" PBS spin off. The year is 1927. The King and Queen are coming for dinner. Everyone's in a tizzy. Even though we know it'll all work out, it's great fun to watch. 3 stars, rated PG.
"Downton Abbey" looks beautiful. The costumes, countryside, estate and horses dazzle on a big screen. The Downton cast returns: Each receiving their moment to shine, but none receiving quite the moments allotted to the great Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess of Grantham and family matriarch. Smith's eyes sparkle. as she delivers the expected barbs and put downs that make her so much fun. The plots include a mystery man, a threat to the king, the invasion of the Royal Family's pompous servants, and domestic troubles. A gay butler (even in 1927) finds a new friend with a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, and a love child figures in an inheritance. If you love "Downton Abbey," this is just what the doctor ordered. If you've never seen an episode, you might wonder why such a fuss over this attractive entertainment.
