Tools for this page
Print

Marie Antoinette

(2006, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Kirsten Dunst, Asia Argento, Jason Schwartzman)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teen queen rocks out in punk-scored biopic.

updated 10.15.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Iffy, but not atypical for privileged, insulated royals in the 18th century. The royals leave their unseen subjects to suffer poverty (this leads to the revolution); members of the Royal court gossip, sometimes cruelly; card-playing and gambling; adultery; constant partying.
  • Violence :

    References to offscreen violence: the American Revolutionary War (which France helps fund), and the French Revolution, which takes the form of a "mob" arriving at the palace with pitchforks and hoes; Marie's mother and an infant die offscreen.
  • Sex :

    Corsets and dramatically shaped gowns show cleavage; Marie appears naked (from front with arms over chest, from the back) in scenes where others dress her; Marie and Louis XVI appear in bed, worrying about not having sex/producing heirs and then, very briefly, having sex (not graphic); Marie's affair with a soldier appears in a sunny, sweet montage, with kissing, some lovemaking (with brief nudity); the King's mistress appears "sexed up" (ample bosom visible) and in a sexual situation with the king (having fun in bed, contrasted with Marie); references to "bosom," Louis XVI's "unconsummated marriage," the "royal bush," and "harlot." Lots of talk of Marie needing to conceive.
  • Language:

    Sexual slang ("bush," etc.).
  • Consumerism:

    Marie is very materialistic; she shops constantly for clothes and shoes.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking of expensive wine and champagne; in one scene, partiers snort powder; another shows partiers passing a pipe.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Marie Antoinette

Parents need to know that this is a punk-rock version of history. While teens may enjoy the music, the movie's relatively slow pace might end up turning some of them off. For those of us who remember our history, she does indeed get beheaded, but it doesn't take place during the movie. There are a few scenes in which Marie appears naked (shown from the back or with her arms over her chest), but not in a titillating way, and there's some sexual allusion when a doctor asks Louis whether his body is "responsive." A couple of sex scenes show brief skin, the king's mistress is buxom and breathy, and there are a couple of birth scenes. This is French history, so naturally there's champagne and wine. In one scene, drugs are snorted and -- as is becoming all too usual in PG-13 movies -- there's smoking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's take on the famous 18th-century queen, presenting her as a raw teenage girl rather than a tyrannical royal. How can you tell that Marie feels isolated in her new court? Why does she get so caught up in shopping and partying? How is her behavior like that of today's teens? How is it different? How would you feel if you were in her position? Is it realistic to expect teenagers to rule a country? How do Marie and Louis XVI come to appreciate each another's limitations and support each another in the face of increasing criticism and -- eventually -- rejection by their subjects? Also, what do you think of the movie's music (which is unusual for a period piece)? Is it jarring or exciting?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about Marie Antoinette?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 12 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    Much better than many critics claim it to be.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I'm a big fan of her's (marie antoinette) and I loved this movie! There is only like 1 nude scene, well 3 if you count scenes were she's naked but you can't see any thing. There is kinda a sexual thing where they talk about her and her husband having children and the her and her lover are shown... and when her brother talks to her husband about how sex is like putting a sword in it's case thing, but he used the right word but i can't remember it. over all there isn't much sex and it's not as big a deal as people make it out to be, as parts or the movie would not make sense without it. Amazing movie!!!!

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Anonymous
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

    A big Disapointment

    THis movie was one of the worst I have ever seen. I was very disapointed in Kirsten Dunst especially. it was a awful inpercination of Marie Antoinette. A big waste of your time!!!

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    awsome

    luv this movie total chick flick some sexual issues but over all very good

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Anonymous
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    The Ending Disapointed

    I loved this movie. I cant wait til i get it on DVD. But in a scene this movie was ruined by its horrible ending. I felt it came to a hult. I would have loved to see the truth of what hapened next. Marie Antoinette was beheaded, although that may have been graphic, i do fell the movie should have gotten to that part, i know many people were expecting this. But if the ending proved the way i planned, i would have no doubt given this 5 stars. And Kirsten Dunst was amazing.

Find movies reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Site of the Week

    Girls for a Change

    Girls for a Change

    Nonprofit helps girls become catalysts for social change.

  • Advice for Parents

    Should "Sexting" Be Illegal?

    Should "Sexting" Be Illegal?

    Parents weigh in

  • Must See TV

    Ice Road Truckers

    Ice Road Truckers

    Dangerous driving makes for exciting reality show.

  • Pick of the Week

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Best baseball games for kids.

  • Sound Check

    Relapse

    Relapse

    Social value lost in glorification of pills, rape, murder.