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Marie Antoinette
- Review Date: February 12, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Teen queen rocks out in punk-scored biopic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
In 1768, at age 14, young "Antoine" (Kirsten Dunst) is sent from Austria to France to cement "the friendship" between the two nations by marrying the 15-year-old French dauphin, Louis-Auguste, soon to be Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman). She's stripped of all remnants of her previous life and instructed by the supremely efficient Comtesse de Noailles (Judy Davis). In Austria, she's introduced to shy Louis-Auguste and his randy father, Louis XV (Rip Torn), and soon learns that royals get to do whatever they want, as long as they perform certain public duties. While Marie (her new moniker) and Louis present a facade of marriage at official functions, at night, he's too uncomfortable to consummate the union. Marie is ever aware that it's her "job" to seduce the king and produce an heir. She's reminded by her assigned French "aunties" (Shirley Henderson and Molly Shannon), letters from her mother (Marianne Faithfull), and advice from attentive Ambassador Mercy (Steve Coogan). Finally, two years later, Marie's brother Joseph (Danny Huston) arrives to "speak to" Louis in a way that inspires him to get his duty done.
Is it any good?
A thoughtful, sometimes-playful retelling of the story of Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola's film focuses on the doomed queen's adolescence. The punkish titles and soundtrack and the luscious pastel color palette depict the girl queen as a product of her times, living up to official expectations while also rebelling in whatever small ways she can manage.
Less concerned with plot than with context, the film reveals Marie's changing sensibility in gloriously detailed images and glances as she gains confidence and poise, ultimately being crowned queen at 19. Increasingly troubled by her "bad press", Marie is eventually undone by history. The film alludes only briefly to the French Revolution and the fall of Versailles. Omitting both Louis' and Marie's beheadings, the movie leaves her looking slightly sad as she departs from the palace. She is, as ever, resigned to her role as the public face of a monarchy bound to fall amid demands for republican government.
What 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?
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
awsome
luv this movie total chick flick some sexual issues but over all very good
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Loved it, but...
I really loved this movie. It was Perfect for me because I'm a history buff and all. Just they had put a little too much sex in it though. I understand that it was an important part of the film but, you know, maybe instead of it being shown, it could have been implied.
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AGE
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
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AGE
must see
wonderful it tells the tail of a Habsburg girl living large and illinformed in thelife of the french court. this is grate for informing(though not knowing) your childer and even your self on the awesome world of Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna
(pluss they have bow wow wow and who cant turn THAT down?)
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Sofia Coppola |
| Cast: | Asia Argento, Jason Schwartzman, Kirsten Dunst |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 19, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | February 13, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | for sexual content, partial nudity and innuendo. |
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