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Marie Antoinette (2006)
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Synopsis: Oscar® winner Sofia Coppola brings to the screen a fresh interpretation of the life of France's legendary teenage queen MARIE ANTOINETTE. Betrothed to King Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman), the naïve Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst) at the age of 14, she is thrown into the opulent French court... Oscar® winner Sofia Coppola brings to the screen a fresh interpretation of the life of France's legendary teenage queen MARIE ANTOINETTE. Betrothed to King Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman), the naïve Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst) at the age of 14, she is thrown into the opulent French court which is steeped in conspiracy and scandal. Alone, without guidance, and adrift in a dangerous world, the young Marie Antoinette rebels against the isolated atmosphere at Versailles and, in the process, becomes France's most misunderstood monarch. Kirsten Dunst stars as the youthful princess whose fateful life became the stuff of myth and legend. The story begins when 14-year-old Marie Antoinette is whisked away from her family and friends in Vienna, stripped of all her possessions and deposited in the sophisticated and decadent world of Versailles, the lavish royal court near Paris. Marie Antoinette is merely a pawn in an arranged marriage meant to solidify the harmony between two nations. Her teenage husband, the Dauphin Louis (Jason Schwartzman), is heir to the French throne. But Marie Antoinette is ill prepared to be the kind of ruler for whom the French populace yearns. Beneath her finery, she's a sheltered, frightened and confused young woman, surrounded by vicious detractors, insincere flatterers, puppet masters and gossips. Trapped by the conventions of her station in life, Marie Antoinette must find a way to fit into the complex and treacherous world of Versailles. Adding to her woes is the indifference of her new husband, Louis. Their marriage goes unconsummated for an astonishing seven years. The awkward future king proves to be a disaster as a lover, sparking grave concerns (and relentless gossip) that Marie Antoinette will never produce an heir. Overwhelmed and distraught, Marie Antoinette seeks refuge in the decadence of the French aristocracy and in a secret love affair with the alluring Swedish Count Fersen (Jamie Dornan). Her indiscretions are soon the talk of France. Whether she is being idealized for her impeccable style or vilified for being unforgivably out of touch with her subjects, reaction to Marie Antoinette is always extreme. Yet, slowly, as she matures, she begins to find her way as a wife, mother and Queen — only to be tragically swept up in a bloody revolution that alters France forever. -- © Columbia Pictures [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, Steve Coogan, Judy Davis, Rip Torn
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 2, 2008
DVD Features:
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dubbed - French - Optional
- Subtitles - English, French - Optional
- Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Additional Release Material:
- Behind the Scenes - Making Of
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes - "Cribs with Louis XVI"
Reviews
Is it possible to make a film that evokes both Barry Lyndon and National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Sofia Coppola has had a decent stab at it.
This mightn't be food for the soul, but it is a pleasurable sugar rush.
A hedonistic riot of spirited, capricious filmmaking; a sexy, witty, dynamic romp, fired by more imagination than a thousand Merchant Ivorys and propelled by the best soundtrack of the year.
A strong attention to detail with an impressionistic style ... breathes life into the story in unexpected ways.
This could be the story of Paris Hilton if she were to be married off to an impotent French Prince instead of dating meatheads armed with camcorders.
A visually scrumptious version of France's iconic but ill-fated Austrian-born queen, Marie Antoinette.
Coppola successfully has made a period film that doesn't feel like a museum piece.
The very antithesis of the traditional historical film, approaching its material as an accepted present.
Marie Antoinette functions less as a film than a two-hour music video for Sofia Coppola's mix tape of favorite songs.
Sofia Coppola has sacrificed a compelling storyline in exchange for aimless atmospherics.
For two hours, we are treated to a display of prettiness. It's like one big elaborate meringue, delicate and intricately decorated, but without much past the surface.
As a serious film, only an American could love Marie Antoinette. To the French, it must be gravely insulting. As an unwitting camp, it may have a great future.
You almost have to laugh and go along on the wave of ridiculousness.
Marie Antoinette - based on you know who's life - has been voted by us here at SA Movie & DVD as the movie most likely to disappoint audiences this year . . .
This is no stuffy historical drama but an off-kilter novelty, opulent and spare at the same time, isolating the viewer as Marie herself was isolated from the harsh reality outside the palace walls.
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