Delectable movie!

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2006)

Rarely am I delighted enough about a movie to write a review. However, "Marie Antoinette" is such a delectable movie that I have to weigh in on it to the chagrin of professional critics everywhere who can't appreciate it for what it is. There are several distinct individual elements that taken as a whole equals a rare and breathtaking VISUAL cinematic masterpiece.
If you are a movie snob that concerns yourself too much with dialogue, character development, historical accuracy and plot, well beware, this movie is NOT for you. However, if you want to enjoy two hours of mesmerizing eye candy, a killer soundtrack and a "close enough" representation of history, you are in for a real treat.
The dresses. This is the single most glorious thing about this movie. I kid you not, Kirsten Dunst trots out at least 40 sumptuous concoctions that look as as delicious as the endless stream of desserts. It doesn't end there. Even extras in the movie were afforded costumes that I would kill to have in my wardrobe. The majority of the budget for this movie was spent on costume design and construction. Whoever is the primary designer deserves an Oscar. It is absolutely breathtaking. There hasn't been a movie this lush and over the top since Gone with the Wind.
The desserts. I left the theater feeling like I had eaten a pound of buttercream icing. Diabetics beware...this movie will send you into a sugar coma. I know this isn't an Oscar category, but by God, the baker in this movie deserves some sort of recognition. I don't know how Marie manged to keep her figure....she literally gorges on sweets all day! The soundtrack. The Cure, the Stokes, New Order....come ON, what else do you want?! This music, juxtaposed with her freewheeling, blissfully naive lifestyle was a brilliant combination that made history fresh, exciting and attainable to younger audiences.
The history. OK, it wasn't completely accurate, but SO WHAT? It was close enough. Again, I say, the primary goal of this movie was NOT to tell the story of the French monarchy leading up to the Revolution. It was simply to convey the excesses of a young and flaky queen in her beautiful make believe world. And judged solely on those merits, I say Sophia Koppola went above and beyond. I also say thank you. For making a movie so fun and beautiful and sweet and delicious. It is exactly what I expected and exactly what I got. YUMMY!!!