The Duchess - Watch It because the set and costumes are beautiful...
I struggle with the rating even as I write this because I don't want to be unfair about the quality of the movie -which by the way was absolutely superb!
The main problem I had with this movie was with the subject itself -the married life of the Duchess. The storyline is absolutely ridiculous and petty, not to mention frustrating. It's difficult to understand why a movie about such a ridiculously self centered, weak, failure of a woman would be exalted as a heroine. At the end of the movie, she is given credit for surviving her ordeal? Mmmm....okay, moving on...
The costumes and set are outstanding and lavish, appropriately for the times and I would consider watching this movie again just to look at them. The acting is of course-very British and restrained, excellently done.
Recommnedation: Watch it. The lavish scenes and costumes are superb, especially if you like British period pieces. Don't expect too much of a plot or storyline because there isn't one.