The Duchess

A story of a woman's struggle against her inner self. Georgiana Cavendish is a woman in constant search of love. And when she found it, it was short lived coz she opted to sacrifice for the sake of her children and the man he truly loved. Her story is bittersweet. Sweet coz she have adorable kids yet bitter in the sense that she still longs for love until her death. Despite being adored by everyone, she is referred to as 'loved by entire England, except her husband'.

The Duchess is based on the life of Georgiana Spencer who became Grorgina Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire. Married at a young age of 17 to the older Duke of Devonshire, who was blatantly unfaithful. She is spirited and adored by the public for her beauty and charisma. She became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator and loved by the common people. But her marriage is a disappointment. She is defined by her duty to produce a male heir and the Duke's philandering attitude.

At first, she was insensitive to the infidelity if her husband but came a point that she caught her husband and best friend, Bess (Lady Elizabeth Foster) having a lifelong affair. Despite her anger, it ended up as the three of them living together in one household since her husband threatened to take away her children if she insists that Bess should go. She explores her attraction to Earl Charles Grey, with whom she socialized and to whom she was attracted before marriage, and finds that the attraction is mutual. Earl Grey is the future Prime Minister. She brings the situation to a head by proposing a 'deal' to the Duke : she will not object to his continuing to have Bess live with them, if he will not object to her engaging in an affair with Grey. The Duke, not surprisingly, rejects the proposal, pointing our that he does not make 'deals', and that all of the power in the situation belongs to him. He upbraids Georgiana for failing in the two things that he demands of her: bearing him a male heir and remaining loyal to him. She is outraged by his attitude and refusal to break of his affair and flees him. He chases her down and rapes her.

After the rape, Georgiana appears alcohol induced at her social gatherings until it is learned that she is pregnant. She delivers a boy. Having done her "duty," Georgiana goes to Bath, where she finally consummates her passion for Grey. They live blissfully in Bath until the Duke arrives unexpectedly. He accuses of her of being indiscreet and demands that she drop Grey and return with him to Devonshire. He warns her that, if she does not, both she and Grey will be cut off entirely from their wealth and positions in society, Grey will lose his political position, and she will never see her children again. After the Duke leaves, Georgiana races back to Devonshire, realizing that she cannot live without her children.

Bess and her children are still at Devonshire. Georgiana informs Bess and the Duke that she is pregnant with Grey's child. At the Duke's command, she moves to the countryside to await the birth. She delivers another girl, Eliza, and immediately is forced to give the baby up to Grey's family. Georgina returns home and her husband took her to a party where Grey is sure to attend. Grey and Georgiana discussed where she has been the past year but did not mention anything about their child. Grey told Georgiana that he is soon to be engaged so they part in humble goodbyes.

Heartbroken, she returns to Devonshire, where she continues her social circle, but with none of the vivacity and verve for which she was known before. She remains with her husband, Bess, and her children, with secret visits to her daughter until her death. After her death, the Duke marries Bess with Georgiana's blessing. Grey goes on to become Prime Minister.

Cast

• Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
• Ralph Fiennes as William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
• Hayley Atwell as Lady Elizabeth 'Bess' Foster
• Charlotte Rampling as Countess Spencer, wife to Earl Spencer
• Dominic Cooper as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey