york74 Reviews

Marie-Antoinette (2006 TV Movie)

Technically great but sketchy and superficial

[7/10 · 23 April 2007]

I finally got from amazon.fr the French DVD of this Canadian production with Marie Antoinette expert Chantal Thomas as historical consultant.

It is technically quite stunning when you think that ALL scenes are virtually recreated: just the actors and a few pieces of furniture are real. It really seems shot on location.

As a movie (a docu-fiction?) it is far too sketchy and superficial (just a succession of key moments in Marie Antoinette's life commented by a voice-over with a few dialog by the actors) to be absorbing. The acting is overall competent with Canadian actress Karine Vanasse really quite appreciable as the queen (her final reading of the testament letter is moving).

No Austrian childhood is shown: the movie starts just before the queen leaves her prison for the scaffold and starts remembering her first arrival in Versailles.

The film is historically quite valid (facts and period costume design are respected), even though Marie Antoinette is described as being a little too "tête à vents" even in her mature years. I also found one big historical error: Marie Antoinette is shown in the Conciergerie with both her children (the dauphin is taken from her in the Conciergerie) while it is universally known that she left the Temple prison for the Conciergerie alone.

Marie Antoinette (2006)

A perfect example of counterhistory

[8/10 · 21 November 2006]

I finally saw the movie: I really was prepared not to like, but in the end I enjoyed it very much. It's not a movie about the real Marie Antoinette. It's just a personal dream about her and in that sense the film works beautifully in my opinion. I did not find it boring at all. It was a pleasure to watch, like a picture to be framed. And despite its countless inaccuracies, it is even more historically accurate than some would-be historical movies like "Elizabeth". And in the end I found some of my personal Antoinette in Coppola's vision. It's a perfect example of counterhistory, which must be watched with an open mind.

The Brontë Sisters (1979)

A feast for Bronte fans!

[9/10 · 21 February 2006]

A feast of perfect acting (the three actresses earn applause), inspired direction and splendid photography (which evokes the outside and the inner landscapes of the sister writers), but strictly reserved to Bronte admirers. The screenplay, built upon continuous references to the Bronte artistic work, can create a sense of icy estrangement, but who is familiar with the writings and the life of the Bronte sisters (maybe through the cult Charlotte bio by Elizabeth Gaskell) will be enchanted. It is a pity this movie remains mainly unseen. The only chance to obtain it at the moment is to get the Spanish DVD which also features the French version.

L'Autrichienne (1990)

Stunning Marie Antoinette portrait

[10/10 · 27 April 2004]

The last days of queen Marie Antoinette stunningly portrayed by a director who's clearly done a massive historical research. Andre Castelot, author of one of the best queen's biographies, penned such a beautiful, accurate screenplay based on the trial papers. Ute Lemper is simply perfect as Antoinette (the actress' mother language is German, just like the queen's, and that adds something special when you hear her musical French). Terrific production, lighting and costumes make this a beautiful visual experience. Historical accurancy at its best in a very passional and moving rendering. The DVD is being released in France in May 2004, don't miss it!