Child Bride of Versailles

Rating: 8/10 (23 February 2007)

SPOILERS BELOW I admit, I went into watching this movie (I rented it) expecting not to like it. Guess what? I loved it. I thought it was visually stunning, the performances were amazing, and even the 1980's music worked. I admit, it was a bit jarring at first to see Marie and her friends dancing to Siouxsie and The Banshees "Hong Kong Garden," at a masked ball, but it honestly works. The ever amazing Sofia Coppolla takes a huge gamble and in my opinion comes out a winner with this movie. It's daring, sexy and utterly charming.
Kirsten Dunst is enchanting as Marie, Jason Schwartzman is adorably awkward as Louis XVI, and their characters' inability to sexually connect until he becomes king had me laughing out loud. When Marie finds her groove in the boudiour, she really comes to life and the character becomes far more interesting. She is a passionate woman who won't be denied, and having children adds to her happiness and secures her place (or so she thinks) on the throne, especially after the birth of the Dauphin.
The scenery was gorgeous, the cinematography stunning, and it's just a delicious guilty pleasure. I give it an 8 out of 10.