Much has been made of the parallels between the lives of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806), and her descendant Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. Both were young newlyweds when they entered high society, and both were required to please a devoted public and a cheating husband. Thankfully, this historical drama is not a frivolous adaptation of the bestselling biography by Amanda Foreman, and Keira Knightley - as well as having the air of an English rose - displays great dignity in portraying Georgiana's frustration with her lot. Still, it's disappointing that Saul Dibb (who directed Bullet Boy) only skims the surface of the lady's political life. This movie is a study of a conventional romantic heroine and the intrigues that compromised her marriage, rather than an examination of a woman whose radical views encouraged her to actively campaign for the government opposition (and led to an affair with future Prime Minister Charles Grey). Unfortunately, this approach also results in Ralph Fiennes, as her philandering husband, coming across as something of a pantomime villain.

A chronicle of the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life.