she looks like a child....

Rating: 9/10 (14 November 2006)

i've had several weeks to reflect on this film, and it has left a very good taste in my mouth. I was surprised by Kirsten Dunst's portrayal of the doomed queen, yet really another victim of isolation and privilege. I believe it is the most well rounded performance of her career, and i loved her in this role. my thought is that Quentin Tarantino has had some influence with Sophia Coppola's already impressive resume of films. Marie Antoinette has a lyrical, whimsical ambiance, with beautiful cinematography and great costumes and dress. Jason Schwartzman's Louis XVI was great; and i watched for the marvelous Marianne Faithful too, but i found her unrecognizable and under- used. Judy Davis is ALWAYS good and i make a point of seeing her films. I appreciated that there was no big build up to the fate of the last king and queen of France, a departure from the other films about them. i was unlucky to be sitting in front of people loudly proclaiming that they had no idea about what happened to her, nor anything about French and global politics at the time. Their assessment of the film was, that it was too slow. It wasn't for me. I wanted more. I can understand some of the criticisms aimed at this film but i truly enjoyed it. Marie-Antoinette reminded me of other doomed queens, such as Queen Jane, who were women, and children both. Ms Coppola skips the reign of terror, the mass be-headings, and the desperation of the times, and opts for a film filled with naivety and isolation, lack of choice and family. i liked this approach, and i'd watch the film again. a beautiful, under-rated film which somehow manages to blend a sense of fun and innocence leading towards the gruesome result which history records. (schwartzman bears an uncanny resemblance to the portraits of the ill-fated Louis..) Special kudos to the costume team as well, who captured 1700's France with immaculate detail.