Review of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola) 2006
By NearertoGod
Note: I made some errors on Kristen Dunst's name. I got her mixed up with Stewart - have no idea why. Pardon!
It is rather disappointing that Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola's 2006 movie about the famous yet ill-fated Queen of France was not so successful in the box office. Maybe because of the fact that it was less period drama and more of a modern, yet beautiful look at the 18th century culture in which Marie lived in. In a way, it takes time getting used to.
Kristin Dunst plays the lead role as the teenage queen who moved from her native home in Austria to France, marrying the Dauphin of France, (and later King) Louis XVI. At first, she is unaccustomed to the cultural differences of the French court, and it is clearly evident in the beginning of the movie as she struggles with her blasé marriage to Louis, who is unenthusiastic and awkward.
As the movie works onward, Marie's mother insists she work harder to have children by her husband before her other sisters do. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen, and soon people are beginning to question their marriage, putting even more strain on Marie as she deals with alliances between France and Austria, befriending the Comtess du Barry, amongst others, and living in a completely different universe.
The story is subtle, not very extravagant, but is none the less interesting if you sit down and watch the movie quietly, without interruptions. The costumes are absolutely gorgeous, and the film was actually shot in Versailles, instead of pre-made sets, so it was very interesting to be able to see what the grand palace looked like.
Kristin Dunst was a lovely young queen, and I found her pretty and better suited to this almost childlike, innocence role instead of, say, Spider Man. She was intriguing, and was so convincing you would think she was Marie instead of herself. Jason Schwartzman was a cute-in-a-funny-way Louis XVI, naturally befitting someone who was awkward and shy, but none the less intelligent and kind.
Overall, Marie Antoinette is a beautiful, intriguing movie for the right audience. It's not for someone who is looking for a one hundred percent historical account, right down to the bone. If you are one looking for that, I would suggest watching La Révolution Française, which is just as lovely, but is closer to history. The sountrack, which is a mixture of classical and New Wave/Punk-rock bands (think Adam and the Ants, Bow Wow Wow...), might irritate some, but in a way, it suits the teenage quality of Marie Antoinette. I am not one for punk music at all, but I have come to adore the soundtrack, and have found that the music actually suits the movie in a strange, rococo-meets-modern way.
If you are looking for something that is different, gorgeous, and exciting, Marie Antoinette is a wonderful movie to sit down to and enjoy. If you are an average viewer looking for a slightly average historical drama, you might want to steer away from this movie unless you don't mind being confronted with something different. And, for those of you who want accuracy, as I have mentioned above, La Révolution Française is probably your best bet.
Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola) 2006
By NearertoGod
Note: I made some errors on Kristen Dunst's name. I got her mixed up with Stewart - have no idea why. Pardon!
It is rather disappointing that Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola's 2006 movie about the famous yet ill-fated Queen of France was not so successful in the box office. Maybe because of the fact that it was less period drama and more of a modern, yet beautiful look at the 18th century culture in which Marie lived in. In a way, it takes time getting used to.
Kristin Dunst plays the lead role as the teenage queen who moved from her native home in Austria to France, marrying the Dauphin of France, (and later King) Louis XVI. At first, she is unaccustomed to the cultural differences of the French court, and it is clearly evident in the beginning of the movie as she struggles with her blasé marriage to Louis, who is unenthusiastic and awkward.
As the movie works onward, Marie's mother insists she work harder to have children by her husband before her other sisters do. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen, and soon people are beginning to question their marriage, putting even more strain on Marie as she deals with alliances between France and Austria, befriending the Comtess du Barry, amongst others, and living in a completely different universe.
The story is subtle, not very extravagant, but is none the less interesting if you sit down and watch the movie quietly, without interruptions. The costumes are absolutely gorgeous, and the film was actually shot in Versailles, instead of pre-made sets, so it was very interesting to be able to see what the grand palace looked like.
Kristin Dunst was a lovely young queen, and I found her pretty and better suited to this almost childlike, innocence role instead of, say, Spider Man. She was intriguing, and was so convincing you would think she was Marie instead of herself. Jason Schwartzman was a cute-in-a-funny-way Louis XVI, naturally befitting someone who was awkward and shy, but none the less intelligent and kind.
Overall, Marie Antoinette is a beautiful, intriguing movie for the right audience. It's not for someone who is looking for a one hundred percent historical account, right down to the bone. If you are one looking for that, I would suggest watching La Révolution Française, which is just as lovely, but is closer to history. The sountrack, which is a mixture of classical and New Wave/Punk-rock bands (think Adam and the Ants, Bow Wow Wow...), might irritate some, but in a way, it suits the teenage quality of Marie Antoinette. I am not one for punk music at all, but I have come to adore the soundtrack, and have found that the music actually suits the movie in a strange, rococo-meets-modern way.
If you are looking for something that is different, gorgeous, and exciting, Marie Antoinette is a wonderful movie to sit down to and enjoy. If you are an average viewer looking for a slightly average historical drama, you might want to steer away from this movie unless you don't mind being confronted with something different. And, for those of you who want accuracy, as I have mentioned above, La Révolution Française is probably your best bet.