‘Fackham Hall’: Bawdy Comedy Delightfully Spoofs ‘Downton Abbey’

Sandra Miska

When “Downton Abbey” first premiered 15 years ago, probably no one at the time could have predicted that it would go on to become the culture juggernaut it is today. After six seasons and three feature films, the beloved franchise has truly cemented its place in the zeitgeist, and now it has inspired “Fackham Hall,” a delightful spoof in the style of “The Naked Gun,” that has fun milking humor out of our favorite period drama tropes. There’s a forbidden romance, some aristocratic intrigue, and even a murder, but those who cannot appreciate a good fart joke should probably sit this one out.

One does not have to be a major fan of “Downton Abbey” to have their interest piqued in “Fackham Hall,” as it is stacked full of fine British actors that one does not usually associate with comedy, beginning with Damian Lewis as Lord Davenport, the patriarch of the dysfunctional family that currently rules over Fackham Hall. He is married to the high-strung Lady Davenport (Katherine Waterston), a traditionalist who is against women reading and thinking. All four of their sons died before the start of the film in equally tragic and hilarious ways, leaving them with two daughters, dreamer Rose (Thomasin McKenzie) and drama queen Poppy (Emma Laird). Poppy is set to marry Lord Davenport’s heir, her first cousin Archibald (former “Harry Potter” villain Tom Felton, an underrated comedic talent), but ends up leaving him at the altar, which complicates things for the family.

Meanwhile, charismatic orphan and pickpocket Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) is paid a visit by a mysterious stranger who asks him to hand deliver a letter to Lord Davenport. However, after he arrives at Fackham Hall, he is immediately smitten with Rose and takes a job as a hall boy to stay close to her, forgetting about the mystery letter. Downstairs, Anna Maxwell Martin rides his bum as Mrs. McAllister, the stern housekeeper. Eric eventually moves up to become Lord Davenport’s valet, but his job and clandestine romance with Rose come to an abrupt end after his boss turns up dead and he is framed for the murder.

The whole cast of “Fackham Hall” appears to be having a blast in their roles, especially Lewis and McKenzie. The latter is superb as Rose first falls for Eric, and, later, must stomach her disgust and move forward with an engagement to the odious Archibald in order to prevent her and her mother and sister from being kicked out of their home. There is one seasoned comedian in the cast, and this is Jimmy Carr, who co-wrote the screenplay. He gets some of the film’s biggest laughs as the local vicar, a man of the cloth who has a way with words.

Along with the charming cast, what makes “Fackham Hall” work is the fact that the comedy does not ever come across as being mean-spirited or overly snarky. Carr and his co-writers, along with director Jim O’Hanlon, seem to have a real love and appreciation for the genre they are spoofing. Along with “Downton Abbey,” the film also pulls from other classics, such as “Pride & Prejudice” and “Godsford Park.” One drawback here is that the filmmakers do not make better use of Great Aunt Bonaparte, a sharp-tounged elderly character based on Maggie Smith’s “Downton Abbey” matriarch Violet Crawley. Great Aunt Bonaparte is actually played by Sue Johnston, who portrayed Violet’s lady’s maid Denker. Johnston evidently learned a thing or two from her former co-star, but gets not nearly enough screentime here. But the story is Eric and Rose’s, and one cannot help but smile from ear to ear as love predictably concurs all, and fate even has a little surprise in store. 

“Fackham Hall” releases Dec. 5 in theaters nationwide.