Gorgeous movie cut short

Rating: 10/10 (6 November 2006)

This movie had the potential to be great.
I thought I would be put off by the modern soundtrack, but what really annoyed me was that Sofia Coppola cut off the movie. I wanted Copploa to show the grueling, horrible adversity that Marie Antoinette had to go through with her husband's execution, the torture of her children, the horrifying trial she was put through, and to her own humbling execution.
It was great up till then...sure, a few liberties here and there, but over all, it was gorgeous. The music, the shots, the costumes, everything...the parts with Louis Auguste and Marie Antoinette's consummation was both hilarious and heart breaking.
I was a bit miffed they didn't include Louis Charles...the time line may have been a bit off. I'm pretty sure he was born by the time the French peasants stormed the Bastille. And when Louis Auguste asks Marie Antoinette about the lime avenue...that was actually asked to his sister, Elisabeth.
Rose Byrne as Duchesse de Polignac was delightful though! I think she really captured the lively spirit of the Queen's favorite. Mary Nighy was great as Lamballe, and the Molly Shannon and Shirley Henderson was hilarious as the aunts. I also really enjoyed Judy Davis as the Comtesse "Etiquette".
From a historical point of view, I loved how personal Marie Antoinette was and the great attention to detail they paid to her. This movie was about a young woman thrust into a political turmoil way beyond her years. In that, they did a fantastic job. It is people who ultimately shape the way history happens and I absolutely loved how personal this film was.
All in all, good movie...but it had the potential to be much better. However I would rather have a historical movie that is okay than no historical movie at all.