Too Far from the Truth....

Usually, I can stomach when a movie adaptation of a book strays from the story. I typically find that it is not too far from the story line, and I understand the reasons why changes were made. However, "The Duchess" just strayed too far from the amazing story of the the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana. The story started off different from the story of her life, having her married in a different year; it then proceeded to twist things from there. She didn't meet Lady Elizabeth Foster at the right time nor accept her relationship with the Duke, she had kids at different times, and she wasn't involved as politics as much. The movie focused on all of the extramarital affairs, yet did not focus on the amazing influence she had in politics for the Whig party. It didn't show her campaigning for Charles Fox in the streets as she did, nor did it show her dressed up in military wear, out supporting the troops as they prepared to fight Napoleon. It didn't show her conversing with men of high influence as much, maneuvering the prince into certain decisions that would benefit the Whig Party or her trips to Parliament. Georgiana, in my opinion, was so much more interesting and intelligent than the movie made her out to be.

I can see why they focused on the extramarital affairs and how the movie going masses would find that appalling... but couldn't they have added the other things into to show how much influence women truly did have during the time period?

I should have know that I had too much invested into the study of her life to have liked the movie. If you haven't read "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman, please go see the movie. You will surely enjoy it. Otherwise, don't stray from the story you've already read- it will do your heart some good.