Rent Marie Antoinette (2006)

See it once - Marie Antoinette review by SB

I should have had great difficulty following the story of this film had I not previously seen the 2022 Anglo/French TV production. Obviously a two-hour film must be more compressed (especially as it covers a longer time period, up to the Revolution) but very little effort is made here to explain who people are, the complex relationships at the courts of Louis XV/XVI, the social/political background, or anything really.

The film has a lot of visual flair, but maybe too much effort was put into that and not enough into the script. Despite all the clothes Kirsten Dunst, a bland actress, makes a bland Marie Antoinette. Her husband is not so much odd as invisible. Amongst the supporting cast Shirley Henderson and Mary Nighy make the best of small opportunities. Steve Coogan does his best as the Austrian ambassador.

After the film has got a bit more into its stride, it loses its way again - the last half hour is very rushed.

Some have complained about the '80s soundtrack, but I found this jarred only on a couple of occasions.

Continuity laziness – Antoinette leaves Vienna in early summer, judging by the trees, but arrives in France, not too far away even by 18th century carriage, in late autumn.

So, just about worth watching but if you want to see it done much better, with Emilia Schule as a superb Marie Antoinette, watch the 2022 TV production.

All costumes and no plot - Marie Antoinette review by CP Customer

The photography, spectacular background and lavish costumes are not enough to make up for a total lack of plot. Surprising given this is about Marie Antionette and the French Revolution. Given the Director's family connections (Copolla's daughter)it was very disappointing. Lots of money had been poured into this but zero talent.If i had not know the history of the period it would have been hard to sit through.