Ostentation spoils interesting story in 'The Duchess'

Director: Saul Dibb

Cast: Keira Knightley, Dominic Cooper, Ralph Fiennes, Hayley Atwell

Cert: 12

Just in case you miss the obvious, the makers of this richly costumed, plumed and powdered period piece have added the tagline 'There were three people in her marriage'.

A reference, of course, to the late Princess Di who uttered the famous lines during that TV interview … the other historical note is that Diana was descended from Georgiana Cavendish – the Duchess of the title – from Georgiana’s brother, the 2nd Earl Spencer.

The two ladies, in their different ways, lived similar lives in that, as a line in the film suggests, the Duchess was loved by every man except her husband.

For Knightley, an actress who even with her awards and nominations and glittering career remains to win us over completely regarding her talent, does move closer to turning in a fine performance as the celebrated beauty and social butterfly of the 18th Century who shared her husband with his live-in mistress.

She is actually quite good as she flits through a gaudy piece of fluff.

How we love our costume dramas, all big hair, floppy hats and twinkling little shoes … if the film doesn’t appeal, its opulence certainly will.

While the story of Georgiana is interesting, the film's ostentation somehow smothers everything.

Star Rating: 3/5