End of “Downton Abbey’ really is a grand finale

Beautiful to see and fun to watch with its upstairs/downstairs cast of characters, “Downton Abeey: The Grand Finale” is the perfect end to the trio of movies based on the popular television series

The camera work is just plain stunning, whether it’s to show the audience a roadster — indicating the era of the film – or finally giving the viewers a sweeping view of Downton Abbey, where all the events have occurred since the series began in 2010.

Like the audience, the characters are facing the challenge of change – no one wants to say goodbye to Downton Abbey in 1930, a year after the crash of the stock market.

When Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti) arrives from America to visit his family, he is accompanied by Gus, an American businessman (Alessandro Nivola,) whom Harold believes has saved some of the family’s wealth after the stock-market crash.

Gus has some ideas about how to use Downton Abbey to recover financially, but the family isn’t so sure that his plans are solid. Meanwhile, the divorce of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) creates a lot of pearl-clutching in the community: How scandalous to have a divorced woman in their midst!

The news about the divorce seems to follow Lady Mary everywhere, and she finds herself snubbed by the people she once considered “friends.”

Back to charm the other characters, and the audience, is actor Guy Dexter (Dominic West), who is starring in a London play by Noel Coward (Arty Froushan), who should earn, at the very least, an Oscar nod for his pitch-perfect performance as the charming playwright.

I never watched the television series, so I can tell you first-hand that you don’t need to be familiar with the program to enjoy these films. This is lush, old-school storytelling, without violence, chase scenes or profanity. Its focus is on the characters’ dialogue and manners. In a Downton Abbey movie, a single glance can silently communicate the equivalent of three pages of dialogue.

Everything about the ensemble is enjoyable. with capable actors and terrific plot lines.

It’s a grand finale that deserves to be seen on the big screen.

4 stars

Rated: PG for sexual situations and drinking.

Running time: Two hours and three minutes.

In theaters.

Watch the trailer here.

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