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.

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.

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

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Love this

    This is one of my favorites its a fantastic movie. the sexual stuff is brief and not that bad. she is naked but you dont see anything so not to much to worry about. the only thing missing from the movie was the part when they chopped off her head but its still good without it.

  2. 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.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    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!!!!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    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!!!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    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

  6. Adult Reviewer
    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.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Pretty Good

    I was surprised to have liked this movie! It gets a bit slow in spots, but overall is very good, and one of the most beautiful-looking films I have watched.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 3.0

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Great performance by K. Dunst!!!

    It was OK. I didn't like the ending, but it kept me gessing at what was going to happen throughout the movie. In general I thought it was a good movie and well filmed.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    loved it

    I loved it

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    great movie cute shoes

    great movie she had such cute shoes great for teen girls some sex and lots of references main portion of story some cheating etc. but overall super good

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    History with a refreshing twist

    "Marie Antoinette" was a great movie! Sure, there were a couple of "iffy" scenes and a lot of champagne, but people should go deeper. Everything was great, except that the camera focused "too much on each scene" (especially carriage rides and less important scenes) and the ending felt cut off. But, I loved the way that "modern" music was tied in with scenes, like where at a ball the guests seemed to be waltzing to the music of our times. I couldn't believe it when some senior citizens were criticizing the movie and, translated into teen language, called it "a bore fest". I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY THINK; IT WAS AN OUTSTANDING MOVIE. BUT, BEWARE: IT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH OF A PLOT BECAUSE HISTORY DOESN'T HAVE A PLANNED OUT PLOT LINE, NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE SAY. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE MOVIE FOR HISTORY'S SAKE, AT LEAST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INTRICATE CLOTHING AND THE SCENERY. THIS MOVIE IS HISTORY WITH A REFRESHING TWIST FROM THE MUSTY, OLD TEXTBOOKS WE HAVE TO READ OUT OF. WHO SAYS LEARNING CAN'T BE FUN! IT'S WORTH IT TO SEE THIS MOVIE!

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Must See TV

    Glee

    Glee

    Edgy-but-quirky comedy's music, message will win teens over.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Fun movie-based action game has constant but mild violence.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy