Just as Lord and Lady Grantham are thinking of downsizing,
the King and Queen decide to visit, setting off the lavish fairy tale
that is Downton Abbey: The Movie. The smartly dressed crowd at Alice
Tully Hall cheered as John Lunn’s symphonic music swelled, a rich
reminder of what was left behind when the last PBS season ended in
Julian Fellowes’ extravagant entertainment, and what now, in the form
of a feature-length film, ushers in two hours of sheer pleasure.

Upstairs and downstairs gather to prepare for the occasion of this
royal visit, with our beloved Dowager Countess Maggie Smith still
sparring with Mrs. Crawley (Penelope Wilton) presiding over luncheons
and preparations but now with a cousin arriving on the scene (Imelda
Staunton). Well, you know how difficult families can be, especially
around inheritance.

Irish upstart Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Mary (Michelle Dockery)
save the King, and down below, the staff led by Mr. Carson (Jim
Carter) and Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) save Downton’s honor when the
King’s royal retinue threaten to take over the kitchen. Mr. Mosely (a
scene stealing Kevin Doyle) spills the proverbial beans on this coup.
But no matter, at Downton, it’s one big satisfying supper after
another.