Farewell, My Queen (2012)

A look at the platonic relationship between Marie Antoinette and one of her female readers during the first days of the French Revolution.

Director:

Benoît Jacquot

Writers:

Benoît Jacquot (scenario), Gilles Taurand (scenario)

Stars:

Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger, Virginie Ledoyen

6 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Léa Seydoux	...	Agathe-Sidonie Laborde
Diane Kruger	...	Marie Antoinette
Virginie Ledoyen	...	La duchesse Gabrielle de Polignac
Noémie Lvovsky	...	Henriette Genest dite Madame Campan
Xavier Beauvois	...	Le roi Louis XVI
Michel Robin	...	Jacob-Nicolas Moreau - l'archiviste de Versailles
Julie-Marie Parmentier	...	La servante Honorine Aubert (as Julie-Marie Parmentier de la Comédie Française)
Lolita Chammah	...	La domestique Louison
Marthe Caufman	...	La domestique Alice
Vladimir Consigny	...	René dit Paolo
Dominique Reymond	...	Madame de Rochereuil
Anne Benoît	...	Rose Bertin
Hervé Pierre	...	L'abbé Hérissé (as Hervé Pierre Sociétaire de la Comédie Française)
Aladin Reibel	...	L'abbé Cornu de la Balivière
Jacques Nolot	...	Monsieur de Jolivet

Storyline

In July 1789, the French Revolution is rumbling. Far from the turmoil, at the Château de Versailles, King Louis XVI, Queen Marie-Antoinette and their courtiers keep on living their usual carefree lives. But when the news of the storming of the Bastille reaches them, panic sets in and most of the aristocrats and their servants desert the sinking ship, leaving the Royal Family practically alone. Which is not the case of Sidonie Laborde, the Queen's reader, a young woman, entirely devoted to her mistress; she will not give her up under any circumstances. What Sidonie does not know yet is that these are the last three days she will spend in the company of her beloved Queen...

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Plot Keywords:

french revolution | reference to pierre de marivaux | sleeping woman | sleeping nude | pubic hair | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief graphic nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [France] Official Facebook [United States]

Country:

France Spain

Language:

French English German Italian

Release Date:

21 March 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

Farewell, My Queen

Filming Locations:

Chateau de Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€851,062 (France), 25 March 2012, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,100, 15 July 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$72,100, 15 July 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

GMT Productions, Les Films du Lendemain, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eva Green was originally cast as Marie Antoinette but dropped out to do Dark Shadows (2012) and was replaced by Diane Kruger.

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Goofs

Madame de la Tour Du Pin, as portrayed in the film, is a middle-aged woman who is both stout and charmless and seemingly unmoved by the drama of the coming French Revolution. In reality, Madame de la Tour Du Pin was in her early 20s when the events of this film are taking place and was exceedingly charming, attractive and outgoing. She was extremely instrumental in planning her family's escape from France to the United States and very unlike the way she is portrayed in the film.

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Quotes

Agathe-Sidonie Laborde: May I try to attain what Madame Campan couldn't?
Agathe-Sidonie Laborde: I'm better placed to find the words necessary.
Agathe-Sidonie Laborde: I know these words Majesty. From the books I read to you.

User Reviews

Visual Appeal Can't Mask Content Void

Farewell, My Queen is a sumptuous visual treat and faux-historical romp from French writer and director Benoit Jacquot.

Set mainly in Versailles over three days as the Bastille is stormed and the French Revolution gains unstoppable momentum, this is a lavish production with superb costume design and sets.

Shown mainly from the point of view of the servants to the royals and aristocrats, the film makes good use of France's palatial architecture and neatly shows the difference in the opulence of the super rich compared to the squalid conditions of their largely loyal and deferential lackeys. The film is beautifully shot, both inside and out, and allows the audience to feel they are being given a personal guided tour of one of France's greatest museums loaded with fine art and antiques.

The story focuses on seduction and loyalty between protagonists within the palace and their reaction to the unfolding history which is mainly off-screen. Regrettably, however, the film, which is strongly female orientated in cast and storyline, titillated with lesbian longing and did so in a salacious and voyeuristic manner. It could have amounted to so much more.

This is a film that will appeal to all those who mourn the passing of Downton Abbey.