CREATIVE QUOTIENT
Amanda Foreman’s well-crafted biography of Georgiana Cavendish comes to the screen as The Duchess. As the story goes, in 1774, Georgiana entered an arranged marriage to the Duke of Devonshire on the promise she’d bear a male heir. However, as Georgiana birthed consecutive daughters, the duke entertained various mistresses, and the pressures of life in the royal spotlight mounted.

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, happens to be a direct descendant of Georgiana, a fact the producer’s marketing department plays up. Watch out for the parallels.

The Duchess could survive alone on fractured marriages and pregnancy pauses. But Georgiana lived a far more scandalous life, and while the film tones down her drinking and gambling addictions, it heats up with lesbian experimentation, bastard children, and countless other bedroom affairs. Georgiana finds a confidante in her contemporary, Lady Elizabeth “Bess” Foster, but endures a slap in the face when the duke takes a liking to her.

Set at the end of the eighteenth century, The Duchess is the story of the beautiful and glamorous Georgiana Spencer, the most fascinating woman of the age. Married young to the older, distant Duke of Devonshire, Georgiana became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator and darling of the common people. But at the core of her story is a desperate search for love.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
The Duchess is an impeccably-mounted historical drama. Saul Dibb portrays Georgiana as a fashion inspiration, a loving mother, and faithful spouse who often swooped in to smooth her husband’s coarse communication skills – especially politically, with regards to the Whig party.

Dibb has found talent at every step while crafting The Duchess. Set decorator Rebecca Alleway and production designer Michael Carlin collaborate on lavish playgrounds of opulence for cinematographer Gyula Pados to shoot.

The cherry on this cake is leading lady Keira Knightley, who delivers a mature and versatile performance despite her young age (just 23!). She evenly matches veteran Ralph Fiennes’ very correct portrayal of the Duke who talked more with his dogs than his wife. This could be among the actor’s finest.

Though too early in the year, The Duchess could well be among nominations and awards - particularly the latter for the technical aspects.