Marie Antoinette (2006)

Rating: 6/10 (11 February 2008)

A hugely visually breathtaking movie. Everything from its costume to its locations: the film is absolutely brilliant. However, that is pretty much all this film has going for it. As a whole film, the lack of any specific plot and specifically a conclusion is incredibly bothering. It is also, way too long. One thing the film will make you do is eat. It is filed with tons of champaigne and food.
Reteaming with Kirsten Dunst, the star of her moody debut feature ?The Virgin Suicides,? Sofia Coppola depicts Marie?s struggles in the early years and the events leading to her downfall.
However, this is also part of the film's problem. Dunst's delivery of her lines is quite, annoying to say the least. In contrast, I felt that Jason Schwartzman actually delivered a pretty decent performance as Louis XVI: a very shy and awkward person. Dunst's performance also seemed to be stuck in some kind of drug induced coma, as well.
In fact, much of the cast seems this way. Some of them even sound bored and are just not interesting at all. Others like Rip Torn are in some ways actors in their own film, acting in their own way. Poor Steve Coogan vanishes for scenes as a time. I really can't blame them when the supposed lead actor's performance just isn't up to par. Of course there are a few notable performances in the film. For instance, Rose Byrne is simply brilliant as the incredibly naughty, yet adorable Duchesse de Polignac. In just one simple scene, Byrne manages to somehow add some spark to a film badly in need of one. She also manages to steal the entire film and when I saw the film in the theatres her lines got the most laughs.