The Duchess – 2.75 stars

The Duchess.  A lush period piece marred by further establishment of the fact that Keira Knightley, as beautiful as she is, has two stock acting moves – radiantly proud and quiveringly proud (the latter is an indication that she is in some manner of emotional upset).  That said, Ralph Fiennes, as her abusive husband, the Duke of Devonshire, steals this movie as the nuanced tormentor of the duchess.  The more annoying she becomes, the more you sympathize with her husband.