Jamie passion and passionfruit!

We’ve had the Merchant of Venice set in Nazi Germany so why not a Marie Antoinette in  Versailles but as a sort of Paris Hilton laced with 80’s punk and Pretty in Pink?  At least it is original.  There is a lot to look at and admire in Sofia Coppola’s version of the story of this Austrian child bride who became hated in France for her excesses but in fact had a strained and strange life to lead in a most affected court.  The decor, costumes and food are glorious to look at and the story is quite a good one but despite the visual appearance I felt that where this film was lacking was in a meaty storyline and more rigour in the actual storytelling.  The film drags in parts or becomes repetitive which may well reflect the queen’s life there but doesn’t help the spectator.  It seems we are being asked to wallow in the sumptuous decor too much and appreciate all the subtle lighting changes.  Kirsten Dunst is well cast in the lead role, both bridging eras and providing the depth necessary for the part.  Jason Schwartzman is nicely cast against type as the silent and inept Louis and we have a range of supporting stars to interest us from Judy Davis to Rip Torn and Marianne Faithfull.  Asia Argento as the Countess de Barry is one of the most notable.  Stuffy it may not be, but Marie Antoinette does seem to lack something although Coppola adds another very interesting chapter to her career.

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