The Dutchess tells the story of the real-life Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (June 7, 1757 - March 30, 1806). Nobody does English set pieces like the English (imagine that). And this one has a bit more quality than most of them, which is saying a lot.

The revelation here is the fine portrayal by Keira Knightley as the Dutchess, from a hopeful young girl to a shattered, but resiliant, woman. She endures the years of a loveless marriage dedicated to producing a male heir, and the torment of a love lost to the harsh strictures of the time.

You almost feel like one of the visible (but invisible) servants as you witness the breakup of trust, the doldrum of acceptance, and the torture of a caged animal in the form of the Dutchess. It's gripping stuff. This is one of those films where you feel like you've dipped into "cultured" cinema and found the human element that made it worthwhile.