Deliscious eye candy, but lacking in substance

Rating: 5/10 (13 September 2010)

I really wanted to like this film, as it did have a lot going for it. However, it is lacking in a few too many things, such as substance. The film does look truly exquisite- the cinematography, costumes, sets, scenery, locations, interiors, wigs and makeup are truly sumptuous and a real feast for the eyes. The story did intrigue me too, while in terms of acting Kirsten Dunst is suitably naive and coquettish and Jason Schawartzman is a dashing yet shy Dauphin. While Rip Torn is surprisingly subtle. However, Marie Antoinette does suffer from being too long and I think too slow too. And the film is further disadvantaged by one too many anachronisms, particularly the music which is too contemporary for my liking and there is too much of it(ie. the masked rave to Siouxsie), and historically the film never feels authentic. Sophia Coppola's direction is unfocused too, too much is spent on the not-so-important moments and the more significant moments feel skimmed over in contrast, while the script is rather weak as it goes overboard with the sugar and froth. To conclude, not terrible but it is not great really. Worth seeing for the period detail, but little beyond that. 5/10 Bethany Cox