Tags
2000's, Asia Argento, Biopic, Historical Drama, Jason Schwartzman, Judy Davis, Kirsten Dunst, Marianne Faithfull, Marie Antoinette, Rip Torn, Rose Byrne, Sofia Coppola, Steve Coogan
Film Title
Marie Antoinette
Director
Sofia Coppola
Cast
- Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette
- Jason Schwartzman as Louis XVI of France
- Judy Davis as Comtesse Anne de Noailles
- Steve Coogan as Florimond Claude
- Rip Torn as Louis XV of France
- Rose Byrne as Yolande de Polastron
- Asia Argento as Madame du Barry
- Marianne Faithfull as Empress Maria Theresa
Sofia Coppola’s third picture, loosely based on the life of the notorious French queen, is not the average historical drama/biopic we are used to seeing. If it’s cold hard facts you are looking for, turn away now as this takes liberties with history. But if you can accept the film as an MTV style, rock and roll story of a young girl stuck within the alienating boundaries of monarchy and pressure, then you may enjoy this sympathetic, visually sumptuous and ambitious account of the much debated Queen and her life.
At the beginning of the film the year being 1768, we are introduced to Marie Antoinette. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and is charming, beautiful and naive. She is selected by her mother to marry the Dauphin, who will later become King Louis XVI, in an attempt to form an alliance between Austria and France. The young girl travels to France and meets the current king, Louis XV. After her marriage to Louis the Dauphin, who is nervous and not at all intimate with her, she is encouraged by those around her to produce an heir. This proves hard for Marie as there is hardly any passion within her union to Louis.The naive Marie is further alienated by her courtiers for being Austrian and for the fact that she hasn’t produce an heir yet. This leads to her feeling trapped and lonely within the many rules and customs of Versailles that she frequently dismisses as ridiculous . To ease her loneliness, she begins to spend large sums of money on fashion, gambling and throwing lavish parties. This or so we are led to believe is one of the many reasons that the French people revolted against the monarchy and ultimately led to her downfall.
The first thing to note when watching the film is the visual appeal, which can’t be faulted. Making stunning use of Versailles, we are shown the lavish and equally decadent side to Marie’s lifestyle. Versailles, in the hands of Coppola almost becomes a pre-revolution high school, complete with gossip around every corner and scandal at every door. Differing from the conventional classical music of period pieces, Coppola lets loose with a soundtrack of 70’s and 80’s anthems, the results of which are sometimes interesting and other times intrusive to the narrative. Sofia Coppola’s script paints an interesting portrait of the controversial Marie, this time showing us a misunderstood young girl trapped within her new lifestyle whose choices incurred the wrath of many. I personally found this account an interesting one, there also were a few times in which events could have been expanded, but on the whole it was a curious spectacle nonetheless. One thing that can’t be faulted is Kirsten Dunst’s expressive portrayal of the eponymous queen. She captures the skittish, carefree and naive side to her whilst revealing a melancholy uncertainty arising from her loneliness and alienation. Jason Schwartzman is a hoot as Louis XVI who doesn’t often see the attractiveness of his bride and is initially unable to feel intimacy with her. Judy Davis ably stars as the lady in waiting who scolds Marie for her carefree attitude when it co
mes to the traditions of the French court. Rose Byrne adds a comedic side to the film as the money spending best friend of Marie who is one of the few people who amuses her in her life. In a brief but memorable role, Marianne Faithfull is icily imperious as the Empress who knows exactly what she wants. Look out for Steve Coogan as a witty diplomat, a stately Rip Torn as the ailing Louis XV and Asia Argento, delightfully sultry as the dishonorable mistress of the king.
I often thing that Marie Antoinette gets a lot of dissent because of its modern ideas and contemporary casting. But if you can handle a slightly revamped film that paints an original portrait of the monarch in question, Sofia Coppola’s ambitious Marie Antoinette may be the film you’re looking for. Yes it may have its flaws, but then again, history lessons where never as interesting and original as this.
Plenty of style from Coppola, but I don’t know how much of it adds up to a pleasing, re-telling of M-A’s story. A lot of it is speculation after all. Good review.
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, the film certainly divides opinion a lot.
LikeLike
Love Asia in this Vinnie! Almost steals the whole thing! ML
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, she certainly is memorable in this.
LikeLike
I like your notion of Coppola turning Versailles into a high school of sorts, with all the gossip and music. Unlike you, I did not find the music distracting. A bit audacious, but I liked what it did for the film and for establishing an idea that Marie is the every-girl from any age that just needed to let loose and have a little fun. Good review. I’ll be checking back for more.
LikeLike
Thanks for your comment, glad you liked the review.
LikeLike
I cannot fault on how amazing M.A is visually but the story feels weak and I am not keen in Schwartzman’s acting (Until i see Wes Anderson’s Rushmore and then I liked him)..It’s a mixed for me
LikeLike
Thanks, yeah many have said it’s a mixed bag for them.
LikeLike
Yeah it was one of these films that make me torn into two
LikeLike
A strong filmmaker who tries new things. I can’t fault Sophia for that. The colors were great and I hope she keeps up being innovative.
LikeLike
Thanks, she truly is original and I love her use of shots of people looking out of windows and the sun coming through leaves in her films.
LikeLike
Yes! She loves framing which I appreciate as a medicore photographer. I often thought if I directed a film, I’d want to implement Sophia’s trickery.
LikeLike
Great post! Yes it’s flawed, but this movie is criminally overlooked and underrated. So nice to see other people feel the same way.
LikeLike
Thanks, yeah I do think it is a misunderstood film sometimes.
LikeLike
I’ve always been torn about watching this but your review makes me want to give it a shot.
LikeLike
Thanks, I hope you give it a shot.
LikeLike
I was completely fine with the movie not being a 100% accurate. In fact, I quite like the modern touch on it – especially the music.
All in all, I think you did a great review. Summarizing that story is really a piece of work, but I thought you managed it really well.
LikeLike
Thank you very much for the kind comment.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome. It was just the truth
LikeLike
This is one of my favorite Sofia Coppola movies. I love the soundtrack and the look of this. Kirstin Dunst is perfect a young girl who suddenly becomes a queen without knowing anything about it. It’s like giving someone a car without teaching them to drive. Great Review
LikeLike
Thanks, yeah I agree with you about Dunst excellently showing the way Marie is thrust into her new position at the deep end.
LikeLike
Great review, although for me the so-called flaws in this film are its strengths. It’s a masterpiece.
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Pingback: Happy Birthday Kirsten Dunst | vinnieh
This whole film was a visual confectionery and I didn’t care a bit that she made an artistic twist on this part of French history. Versailles has never been so beautiful or it’s inhabitants so amusing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you liked the review, Coppola has such a deft eye for detail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Blog Spotlight – Vinnieh |
“…an MTV style, rock and roll story” I LOVE that! I wish I had put that down in my review as that is EXACTLY what this film is. Great review Vinnie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just the way the visuals and music were edited together really reminded me of a music video, especially in the scenes of fashion and glamour.
LikeLike
Indeed it is! Someone just commented that it reminded her of Baz Lurhmann’s style.
Hey Vin, stop by my blog today and let me know which Sundance films caught your eye 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for the late reply, my internet has been playing up a bit.
LikeLike
I always love historical movies. This sounds like a pretty impressive movie. I actually haven’t heard of this one ( I know, shame on me right 😊), but it’s another that I have now added to my list of movies to see. Thanks for the recommendation, and yet another great review! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a definitely different historical movie. Many take issue with it not being the most overly factual, but I don’t think that’s the main point. I think Sofia Coppola wished to showcase a story of a girl lost without guidance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well…a movie doesn’t always have to be factual in my opinion. As long as it’s done well, you won’t hear me complaining. And this certainly sounds it’s done well 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that is true. If you were to stick to the facts in historical drama, you may drain it of any enjoyment. As long as the main essence of the subject is there, I think it’s all good.
LikeLiked by 1 person