the fresh, french queen

Marie Antoinette, released in the fall of 2006, is Sophia Coppola’s brilliant vision of French aristocracy and their famous Queen, oui. The young queen’s fate falls like a greek tragedy with a more sympathetic tone than I’ve known. Vibrancy is breathed into the characters instead of some detached view of a real person’s life. We all know how this story ends, as the Queen of Hearts says, Off with her head! But what is interesting about this film is how Coppola tells of this iconic royal’s undoing. The whole film is beautifully shot, the costumes, hair, makeup, and set designs are all over-the-top extravagant (beyond Poison big hair). The visual beauty may overwhelm some and only see the film as super-sweet cotton candy fluff, but this is same insulating existence which kept Marie Antoinette from the simmering political instability. The youthful 80s pop soundtrack highlight the fun time of the Queen and her court while the traditional period music mark the largely restrictive life of 18th century royals. Not since Dangerous Liaisons, has a film shown the twistedness of French society (God, what a hot, yummy couple : Keanu and Uma!). The choices in actors are wonderful along with some unlikely picks. Kirsten Dunst fits perfectly into the young, naive Queen while Jason Schwartzman brings a quiet innocence to the uptight Louis the XVI.  Rip Torn brings it as Louis the XV, a King who doesn’t let the golden years get in the way of naughty bedtime frolics. Molly Shannon does a well-done turn as one of ladies in the French court, no Superstar vibes here. I love the scene with Marie and her King walking the stairs of Versailles to a classic by The Cure. Just beautiful, I think Robert Smith would be complimented by his poetry in motion. I liked this movie for visiting a period of history not lately depicted while delighting my feminine desires of dress up and frivolous girly fun. Kudos to this movie for not being afraid to break the rules, an impeccable eye, and dreamy choice in music. Excuse me while I find the biggest, pouffy pink skirt, drink champagne, and tease my hair to the heavens, au revoir mon cheri!
PS – watch the special feature: cribs with Louis XVI. Mr. Schwartzman is fly in his white wig, knickers and tights while hosting “MTV” (shot by his cousin, Roman Coppola) to Versailles. What a pad for some flamboyant kink.