FILM REVIEWS
DOWNTON ABBEY (UK 2025) ***½
Directed by Simon Curtis
DOWNTON ABBEY is the third and final film of the franchise.
The film follows the Crawley family and the Downton Abbey staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal caused by her divorce and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepare for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.
The story is set in the 1930s. The Crawley family and their staff are facing financial trouble, and there are threats to their social standing. A central plot line involves Lady Mary: she is at the centre of a public scandal following her divorce. This causes social backlash in the era’s more rigid society. With so many characters in the franchise, there are many other stories.
Other storylines include generational transitions and “passing the torch.” Upstairs, the older generation (Lord and Lady Grantham) must confront change and decide how to hand over responsibilities. Downstairs with the help staff, equally important, and among the staff, there’s also movement: retirement, changing roles, and new leadership as younger characters step up.
The biggest name in the film is surprisingly non-British Paul Giamatti, who plays the uncle who loses a majority of the money of the Downton estate. But as everyone is so nice, he is forgiven and even sympathized with/
DOWNTON ABBEY is the brainchild and baby of writer Julian Meadows, who also produced the film. To his credit, he has devised quite a good screenplay that brings together all the multiple characters, giving each one their uniqueness as well as their stories. The script also pays tribute to past characters, such as the one played by Dame Maggie Smith, who is seen, posthumously, at the end of the film. Meadows is also cheeky to praise himself for being good at writing in the film.
In the story, the building is in need of money for repairs. This is also, ironically, true in real life.
Meadows’ script covers several key issues that keep the audience attentive.
Change vs tradition: The film explores how a grand estate like Downton Abbey adapts (or struggles to adapt) to social, financial, and cultural shifts in the 1930s. Legacy & responsibility: Who will lead Downton in the future? How to preserve what Downton stands for while also moving forward. Scandal & reputation: Lady Mary’s divorce becomes a focal point, showing how society viewed marriage, divorce, respectability, and social reputation at that time.
Farewell/closure: As the title suggests, this is meant as a final chapter—wrapping up the arcs of many characters,
The DOWNTON ABBEY fans, and even if one is not, should enjoy and be entertained in this supposedly final entry.
The film opens only in theatres this week, September 12th.
Trailer:
SPINAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES (USA 2025) ***½
Directed by Rob Reiner
Decades (41 years to be exact)after the first THIS IS SPINAL TAP movie, one that popularized the mockumentary concept, the creators have returned, finally with a sequel with the title THE END CONTINUES, a phrase that contradicts itself.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is an upcoming mockumentary comedy sequel to the 1984 cult classic THIS IS SPINAL TAP. Directed by Rob Reiner, who also reprises his role as documentarian Marty Di Bergi, the film follows the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap—David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)—reuniting after a 15-year hiatus for one final, legally obligatory concert.
Rob Reiner is famous for playing the role of Meathead in the series ALL IN THE FAMILY, also known as the son of famous vaudeville comic Cal Reiner, who also directed Oh, GOD.
The band members are David, Derek and Nigel, each having gone their own way after the breakup. The film unfolds as it traces each of their lives, less than the filmmakers think the sequences are.Nigel is now running a cheese and guitar shop in Berwick-upon-Tweed and plays in a local folk band.
- David lives in Morro Bay, California, composing music for true-crime podcasts and hold music.
- Derek, residing in London, curates the “New Museum of Glue” and has even composed a symphony called Hell Toupée.
The fondness for the mockumentary genre has long faded, as can be observed in this movie. Even jokes like the leaking foldable wine glass and David’s wife sleeping, unknown to him, with another band member, fail to register any laughs.
The best thing bout the film is the star-studded cameos, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Questlove, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Lars Ulrich, Chad Smith, and more. with a soundtrack featuring both new Spinal Tap tracks and re-recordings of classics, including a new version of “Stonehenge” featuring Elton John, and guest leads by Beatles McCartney and John.
SPINAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES is amusing at best.
Trailer:
