Marie Antoinette (C or 2/4 stars)
'Marie Antoinette' is a historical biodrama both written & directed by Sofia Coppola (of Lost in Translation). A teenage Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst) is an Austrian princess who is brought to Versailles to marry young Prince Louis Auguste (Jason Schwartzman). Their union is a metaphor, joining them as man and wife, France & Austria. After Marie arrives at Versailles to prying eyes, she is subjected to her court. What follows is a series of scenes where Marie is fitted for clothes, shown her boudoir, tasting some delectable treats, etc. She and her new husband sleep in the same bed, yet fail to consummate their marriage for years.
We soon find out that their ascent to Queen & King is difficult because of their young ages. But let's jump back to the initial riveting plot {I kid}. Marie wakes up in disappointment that she can't get her husband aroused. She gets dressed & parades around a bit. We witness her woeful contemplations on life. We see her read some memos from mommy, Queen of Austria. And then she falls asleep; only to awake to the same process day in & day out. Oh, throw in some lavish parties where she giggles at inaudible gossip, and you have the movie ... entirely.
We don't learn anything interesting about Antoinette because her unfortunate life was as isolated, meaningless & repetitive as this movie. When things don't go her way, she just gathers her troops, throws a party, drinks all night, tries on shoes, puts on wigs, eats the latest dessert, & sends France into depths of poverty. There is no real history lesson here. The film is all visuals & no substance; characters barely speak! I understand that there's little substance to her life, that doesn't excuse a shallow film-going experience. Just because the opulent set pieces & ornate costumes are gorgeous (and they ARE), that doesn't jump-start a plot of any kind, whatsoever.
Why should I care about Antoinette's superficial lifestyle? What, if she has any, are Marie's true thoughts & emotions? Does she realize why the peasants want her dead? What is she thinking in the last 15 min. of the film, when the mobs are at her doorstep? Where's the drama? What's the point of making this big budget film? I suppose the point is that Marie Antoinette's life was empty - and thusly - the film is, as well. They are part & parcel.
Problem with that is: I felt numb as I left the theater. For all its decadence, beautiful imagery, interesting camerawork (point-of-views, etc.), & metaphors (emptiness) ... there is little context to fall back on when we get tired of the saturated scenery. 1/2 an hour into 'Marie Antoinette', I sensed a budding 3-star type of film. With the passing of time, my rating kept falling. For all its' never ending 123 minutes, I suppose I'm grateful that it ended when it did. Not only because it felt like 423 minutes, but because my 2-star rating would inevitably be heading for a 1 or a big fat Zero. Yes, Marie. Please, by all means, let me leave this theater ... and let me eat cake!
We soon find out that their ascent to Queen & King is difficult because of their young ages. But let's jump back to the initial riveting plot {I kid}. Marie wakes up in disappointment that she can't get her husband aroused. She gets dressed & parades around a bit. We witness her woeful contemplations on life. We see her read some memos from mommy, Queen of Austria. And then she falls asleep; only to awake to the same process day in & day out. Oh, throw in some lavish parties where she giggles at inaudible gossip, and you have the movie ... entirely.
We don't learn anything interesting about Antoinette because her unfortunate life was as isolated, meaningless & repetitive as this movie. When things don't go her way, she just gathers her troops, throws a party, drinks all night, tries on shoes, puts on wigs, eats the latest dessert, & sends France into depths of poverty. There is no real history lesson here. The film is all visuals & no substance; characters barely speak! I understand that there's little substance to her life, that doesn't excuse a shallow film-going experience. Just because the opulent set pieces & ornate costumes are gorgeous (and they ARE), that doesn't jump-start a plot of any kind, whatsoever.
Why should I care about Antoinette's superficial lifestyle? What, if she has any, are Marie's true thoughts & emotions? Does she realize why the peasants want her dead? What is she thinking in the last 15 min. of the film, when the mobs are at her doorstep? Where's the drama? What's the point of making this big budget film? I suppose the point is that Marie Antoinette's life was empty - and thusly - the film is, as well. They are part & parcel.
Problem with that is: I felt numb as I left the theater. For all its decadence, beautiful imagery, interesting camerawork (point-of-views, etc.), & metaphors (emptiness) ... there is little context to fall back on when we get tired of the saturated scenery. 1/2 an hour into 'Marie Antoinette', I sensed a budding 3-star type of film. With the passing of time, my rating kept falling. For all its' never ending 123 minutes, I suppose I'm grateful that it ended when it did. Not only because it felt like 423 minutes, but because my 2-star rating would inevitably be heading for a 1 or a big fat Zero. Yes, Marie. Please, by all means, let me leave this theater ... and let me eat cake!