Merrick again...
So...what kind of day is it when the words MARIE ANTOINETTE and NAPOLEON appear next to each other on AICN's front page?
Lukasman wrote in with a look at Sophia Coppola's new MARIE ANTOINETTE.
Actually, this isn't a review as much as a broad description of the film, which he recently saw. For those who haven't heard, this is one of those films that tells an "old" story in a "modern" way - including the use of contemporary tunes.
Not sure what to think about this. While I did rather enjoy A KNIGHT'S TALE (and, actually, would be really interested in seeing them make the proposed sequel...were they serious about A PIRATE'S TALE?), I know many folks were really turned off by its anachronistic style and music. And, in my mind, the most abrasive and self-indulgent example of this was MOULIN ROUGE. Of course, there was far more wrong with MR than just the music (like, say, its pacing, editing, mis-shot dance numbers, etc.)
As such, I'm curious to see how this turns out...but also a tad apprehensive.
Here's Lukasman...
I just got to see Sofia Coppola´s Marie Antoinette, and thought you would be interested in an amateur´s review.
I'm from Uruguay (remember the scoop on the loan for digital projectors a few weeks ago?, that was me) and the movie is due for December, and I'm not sure when it´s supposed to come out in the US, but I'm pretty sure it sill hasn't.
There will be a few spoilers, but there´s not much to spoil if you have ever read a history book.
As you probably know, the movie is about Marie Antoinette´s life, but it has a mix of "history meets a Knight´s Tale" approach to it that makes it different. If that comparison was not clear enough, Coppola chooses VERY different types of music for different scenes, going from a classical instrumental theme at one time (as you would expect from a movie about an 18th century French Queen) to a punk song in another (maybe not punk, but something of the likes).
Remember the scene in "A Knight´s Tale" where they dance at a party? Something like that...A classic story, with a modern approach. Again, this style is on and off throughout the movie, and I think that was pretty interesting.
There are several trademark Sofia Coppola scenes, although I must confess I only saw "Lost in Translation", you can definitely see her touch everywhere. Those wide shots of Tokyo and Ms. Johansson just staring, and thinking....you get some of those too (just switch Tokyo for late 18th century Versailles of course). There are several scenes in which Sofia fans will recognize the soundtrack running in the back. Its hard to explain, but you´ll see...
The story, basically, follows Mary Antoinette from her palace in Austria to her newly appointed groom, Louis XVI, heir to the throne in France, as part of a treaty between both kingdoms.
We soon find that Louis is a pretty dull guy, although a nice one too. He doesn't pay much attention to her beautiful wife, and everyone starts getting worried about the future of the throne, if a heir is not "produced". Mary tries to get Louis interested in her, but he just doesn't want to "get it on".
Eventually, she starts to have fun, not worrying too much about that subject, and finally, the man steps up to his job and knocks her up (bravo). (one of her best friends, Rose Byrn, from Troy, is beautiful, as usual).
We see a very good Mary A. throughout the movie, although she is quite indifferent to the whole "the people need food and attention" issue that her advisors occasionally bring up. This, of course, will catch up with her eventually, as we all know. Before that, Mary A gets some "on the side action" with a Swedish military character (Count Ferson, or something).
The ending was actually good, not having to show explicitly what happens to the King and Queen, but with a few establishing scenes that show that the party is over (as my friend Mace would say). By then, you have grown to care for both of them, so it is definitely sad.
Hope you enjoy it, I would recommend it, IF you are not the type that needs constant action and lots of dialogue, this is more for the quiet and patient type.
Best regards from the South
Lukasman
Thanks for writing in, Lukasman.
To answer Lukasman's pseudo question: MARIE comes to America October 20. You can see the film's trailer HERE!
