In her personal battle between herself and her position, she falls in love with Charles Grey, played by Dominic Cooper, and begins seeing him secretly. When the Duke finds out, he orders her to stop, threatening to take away her children, but she is pregnant with Grey’s child. Even after supplying the Duke with a male heir and participating in acts that the Duke has also done, she struggles to gain power within her household, never able to impress the Duke.
But more than just a historical drama, this is a film about the struggle for power in a place where there was nothing for women to gain. Paralleled by the multiple layers that women wear, she is trapped in a position that seems commanding and influential, but personally she is shattered. Knightley commands the screen, not often with dialogue, but with facial expressions that expose the deep pain and struggle that she feels daily.
Georgiana was clearly a strong woman, one that dominated political and social circles, but lived a sad life. The different masks she wears for her public and private lives create a duality that is inspiring to watch, showing a true struggle that regains its own sense of power.
The DVD extras are interesting and very informative if you are interested in learning more on the subject. “Georgiana In Her Own Words” is a short featurette that shows her letters and examines her growth through her penmanship and content. “Costume Diary” is an interesting look at the costumes in the film. “How Far She Went…Making The Duchess” was my favorite extra, showing the real sets used, interviews with the cast and crew, and explains some of the hardships they went through in the making of the film.
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