The other primary way for a movie of this ilk to stand out is the acting. Keira Knightley leads the charge, bringing a welcome complexity to her performance as Georgiana. She plays the public face of self-assuredness and intelligence countered with the private torment that she is forced to endure with a good deal of conviction; you cannot refute her acting here. Ralph Fiennes is saddled with a one note character, but he brings a fire to the performance that is undeniable. He inspires the audience to hate him — there is no other way to feel about him — and Fiennes makes sure that is all that you feel. Hayley Atwell does a fine job as Bess, walking a moral tight rope between her affections for her lover and her loyalty to her friend.
Bottom line. This is a good film. The story does not really cover any ground that we haven't been over before, but the design is beautiful and the acting is downright excellent. If you are a fan of period drama, you will want to see this one, no doubt about it. Even if you aren't as big a fan it may be worth spending some time with. I do not regret the time we shared.
Recommended.
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