Based on the life of the Her Grace Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, the Duchess is a story of aristocracy, deceit, adultery, love and politics in England during the 1700s.
Georgiana is married to the Duke of Devonshire, who is a sullen, chauvinistic man desperate for a male heir. He has been promised that Georgiana will be able to bear him his son at the earliest. G., as the Duchess is called affectionately, is soon with child. But is shocked to find that her husband not only sleeps with the maids of his household, but has also borne a daughter from one of them. She agrees to raising the child as her own.
The Duke is soon disappointed that G. has borne him not one but 2 more daughters. He holds a grudge against her, claiming that she has not fulfilled her duty as his wife.
Georgiana, in the meantime, has become extremely popular, a fashion icon. She also proves that
she has a sharp mind and everyone is intrigued by her. At one party, she meets Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, who befriends her. They get along famously. Bess has been forbidden to meet her 3 sons and is living on a fast depleting sum of money. G. convinces the Duke to let Bess stay with them.Georgiana and Bess have a glorious time together till, one day, G. arrives home to find Bess and the Duke in bed together. She demands that Bess leaves immediately but the Duke refuses. She seeks advise from her mother who says that she will have to resign herself to the situation.
Mr. Charles Grey, a friend of G's, is part of the Whig Party and hopes to become Prime Minister one day. She helps him campaign and soon they fall in love. Georgiana proposes a deal to the Duke - Bess and the Duke have her blessing if she can have a relationship with Mr. Grey. The Duke is furious and ends up raping her.
She is now again with child - this time she gives birth to a boy, much to the Duke's delight.
Bess arranges for a rendezvous between Mr. Grey and Georgiana - they become lovers but are not very discreet. The Duke, once he gets to know, gives her an ultimatum. Either forget the man or forget her children. She chooses her children, but is pregnant again, this time with Charles' child.
She gives birth to a daughter in the country and turns in the babe to Charles' family.
Georgiana goes back to a 'normal' life. She is, once again, the lovely, popular Duchess, and gives Bess and the Duke her blessing. They live together till her death.
Keira Knightley as the Duchess does a super job. Her transition from a newly wed teenager to a mother of 4 has been portrayed beautifully. The castles, ballrooms and locations of the movie are very appealing and true to life.
