If the movie Clueless had been set back in 18th century France, it would have been a lot
Don?t get me wrong. It was no fault of the cast. To be fair, Coppola’s cousin, Jason Schwartzman did a very believable job in the role of the bumbling, sexually awkward king, Louis XVI (or Louis the 14th). Kirsten Dunst was amusing and natural as the young, frustrated yet flighty queen. No, it was the writing and unfortunately the directing which may cause moviegoers to form an angry mob and storm out of the cinema.
Marie Antoinette is the story of an Austrian princess who weds the French heir to the throne when she is only 14 years old as part of a peace treaty between the two countries. Much like a young starlet with the paparazzi today, she was
The young couple soon step into the spotlight again when the King dies and Louis the 14th is crowned. After a frank talk from Antoinette?s brother, the marriage is consummated and an?heir to the throne on its way. But the damage is already done and what isn?t shown in the movie, is why the blood thirsty mob storms Versailles in the first place; the Kings scheming brother plots against the couple from the start because he wants the throne for himself.
Like a roller coaster, the plot was slowing building
Walking dejectedly out of the cinema I thought back to the words uttered by Dunst?s character after she has gone through the tedious morning dressing ceremony ?This is ridiculous.?
If black and white doesn?t bother you, check out a copy of the 1938 version of Marie Antoinette starring Norma Shearer, for a more detailed account of the riveting life and death of Marie Antoinette.