Savage House review – Richard E Grant and Claire Foy’s decadent Downton Abbey | Films | Entertainment

Hiring Richard E Grant and Claire Foy as a couple of eccentric and decadent aristocrats was a no-brainer for Peter Glanz’s new period black comedy. Set in 1715 as the German-speaking King George I takes the throne, Grant’s low-born Chauncey has charmed his way into marrying Foy’s Lady Savage, as the couple live out their days in licentious luxury at their stately pile. That is, until one day their excess indulgences and debauchery are interrupted by the news that the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire are coming to stay, and they have just weeks to clean up the place and themselves. What follows is a manic and amusing series of events reminiscent of the first Downton Abbey film, Blackadder and The Favourite.

Grant does what Grant does best, resurrecting the impulsive spirit of Withnail as Chauncey. His powered wig-wearing social climber is a heavily indebted scoundrel ridden with gout, who ignores doctor’s orders while swilling buckets of blood red wine and bonking the chamber maid. Meanwhile, Foy loses the stiffness of her Queen Elizabeth for Lady Savage, forced to sell off her ruined family’s heirlooms and regularly finding herself entwined with the footman. They’re hilarious and awful cartoonish characters that you can’t help but be charmed by, as their series of bad decisions leads them from tragedy to tragedy.

The film’s cinematography, wardrobe and sets beautifully capture the early 18th century period in all its rough glory; from the lavish costumes and interiors to the oozing ailments of the pox outbreak and the muck-covered, yellow-teethed Jacobites in the nearby field. In fact, at times, the blood and disease depictions almost verge on a horror aesthetic. At almost two hours in length, the film’s a little on the long side and at risk of meandering, but overall there’s plenty of fun to be had here alongside a classic moral message.

Savage House is in UK cinemas from Friday.