An Ode to Maggie Smith: 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' is a Perfect Cinematic Celebration of the Dame's Life and Work
Downton Abbey: A New Era is an ode to Maggie Smith.
The newest Downton Abbey film continues to chronicle the Crawley family as they watch over their estate, and attempt to keep up with the ever-changing times. Fans that have followed show since the beginning have watched through the years as this staple family of English high society has undone their top button, and allowed themselves to evolve with the world - while still maintaining a strong hold on decorum and tradition.
The keystone of this tradition is none other than the Dowager Countess of Grantham herself, played by the resplendent Maggie Smith.
Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, is the fixed crux of the film; her grounded presence allows the story to spread back into her complicated past, explore the changing modern day, and stretch forward as she stares down the end of her life with undaunted power. Through her past, we see that history is cyclical. Through her future, we see that life goes on.
Maggie Smith's performance in this film is perfect.
She embodies, completely, her own past, present, and future. Even as we see the Dowager Countess declining in health, she brings power, confidence, and command to the role. She encourages her granddaughter to be strong. In fact, she is the one, despite all odds, who pushes the family to accept the film at Downton. While she may hold a specific ire for film types, she recognizes the importance of moving forward, and constantly changing with the times.
Speaking of her lack of love for the silver screen, Maggie Smith has the most hilarious lines in this whole movie - .ost of them biting roasts about actors. She had the room doubled over in laughter more than once with her quick and cutting comedic sensibilities. (She then had them crying three seconds later.)
This is not to say that Maggie Smith is the only good part of this movie. On the contrary, the cast is exceptional; every moment is filled with hilarity and heart.
Thomas Barrow's storyline is the most adorable this show has ever seen. Mary's drive to step into her grandmother's place with such capital zeal and vigor is heartwarming. The hilarious stiff upper lip of Mr. Carson has everyone chortling.
This heart beats, however, because of Maggie Smith.
This is not to say that Downton Abbey: A New Era is the last project we will see from Maggie Smith (and I hope it is not!), but it felt like a celebration of her life and career.
From the time she began in films in the hit Nowhere to Go, to the time she spent magically striding across our screens in the Harry Potter films, many of us have grown up watching Maggie Smith. She has been an incredibly important part of our lives.
This film, both fictionally and within the confines of her own life and career, was a celebration of her sensational legacy. This celebration allowed the film to resonate in a way that not many have in some time.
I cannot recommend Downton Abbey: A New Era more highly. If you, like me, are a lifelong fan of Maggie Smith's work, you need to run to the theater to see this film (but run back if you forgot your tissues!)
