Marie Antoinette 2006

In a cinematic adaptation of Lady Antonia Fraser’s award-winning biography, Marie Antoinette: The Journey, this opulent film delves into the private life of France’s last queen before the Revolution, offering a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of her tumultuous reign. Set against the backdrop of 18th-century Europe, the narrative follows Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna (Kirsten Dunst), affectionately known as Antoine, as she embarks on a transformative journey from her Austrian homeland to the French court.

The story begins in 1770, when the charming and naive 14-year-old princess is chosen by her mother, Empress Maria Theresa (Marianne Faithfull), to marry Louis XVI, the Dauphin of France. This strategic alliance aims to unite the two rival countries, with Antoine’s marriage serving as a symbolic bridge between Austrian and French cultures. As she departs from her childhood home, the young princess is whisked away on a long journey to an isolated island in the Rhine River, where she meets Comtesse de Noailles (Judy Davis), the mistress of Versailles’ royal household.

As Antoine adjusts to her new surroundings, she undergoes a poignant “crossing-over” ceremony, relinquishing everything from her Austrian life – from clothes and jewelry to friends and ladies-in-waiting. In a tender moment, she says goodbye to her beloved pet Pug dog, Mops, marking the end of an era. With her name translated into French as Marie Antoinette, the young princess is reborn into her new role as Dauphine.

Later that day, Marie Antoinette meets King Louis XV (Rip Torn), a lewd and indulgent grandfather to her betrothed, Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman). The awkward and shy young Dauphin nervously greets his fiancée, while his aunts, Victoire (Molly Shannon) and Sophie (Shirley Henderson), quietly criticize the new Dauphine’s Austrian roots.

As Marie Antoinette settles into her new home at Versailles, she is awestruck by the palace’s grandeur. With little time to adapt, she and Louis are married in a lavish ceremony, with the king offering a heartfelt toast, wishing them many healthy children to produce an heir for their throne. On their wedding night, the newlyweds struggle to fulfill the expectations of conjugal intimacy, leading to whispers among the palace’s courtiers that “apparently, nothing happened.”

In this sumptuous and intimate portrayal of Marie Antoinette’s early years, the film masterfully captures the complexities of her tumultuous marriage, as she navigates the treacherous waters of royal politics, social expectations, and personal desires. As the curtain rises on this cinematic masterpiece, audiences are invited to witness the formative moments that would shape the fate of France’s most iconic queen.

As the days blend together in a haze of protocol, Marie Antoinette (Maria Valverde) finds herself suffocating beneath the weight of palace expectations. The constant entourage of attendants and noblewomen, who seem more interested in her title than her person, only serve to exacerbate her sense of isolation. Meanwhile, her marriage to Louis XVI (Romain Duris) remains as unfulfilling as ever, with their conjugal life reduced to a mere whisper on the winds of Versailles. The King’s obsession with locks and keys has become his sole solace, leaving Marie Antoinette feeling like a pawn in a game she can’t win.

The hallowed halls of Versailles are abuzz with scandalous whispers, which reach Marie Antoinette through her small circle of sympathizers. The court is abhorred by the King’s mistress, Madame du Barry (Asia Argento), whose crass behavior and fiery temper have earned her a reputation as a woman without shame. Though advised to shun Du Barry by her confidant, Ambassador Mercy (Steve Coogan), Marie Antoinette reluctantly extends a tentative olive branch, merely to quell the growing unrest.

Despite the stifling atmosphere of formality that pervades Versailles, Marie Antoinette’s innate warmth and compassion continue to peek through the cracks. She joins Louis on a hunting trip, distributing treats to the attendants and even the dogs, earning her husband’s disapproving gaze. Her enthusiasm is contagious, however, as she applauds at the conclusion of an opera, prompting the rest of the audience to join in. Slowly but surely, Marie Antoinette begins to find solace among the ladies of the court, forging bonds with Victoire and Sophie that will serve her well in the tumultuous times ahead.

A letter from her mother serves as a wake-up call, reminding Marie Antoinette that an unconsummated marriage is a precarious foundation upon which to build a future. With this warning echoing in her mind, she makes a valiant effort to rekindle her marital spark, but her attempts at seduction are met with Louis’s apathy. Rumors begin to swirl through the court, hinting that the Dauphin may be either impotent or secretly inclined towards a life beyond the palace walls – whispers that will continue to dog Marie Antoinette as she navigates the treacherous landscape of royal politics.

As Marie Antoinette settles into her new life at court, she finds solace in indulging in luxuries and vices, temporarily distracting herself from the pressures of producing an heir with Louis. Her evenings are filled with lavish gowns, exquisite pastries, and high-stakes card games played alongside her lady friends. The night wears on, and she, Louis, and their companions don masks to mingle incognito at a Parisian ball. It is there that she meets the enigmatic Swedish Count Axel von Fersen (Jamie Dornan), whose presence sets off a spark of attraction.

In 1774, the passing of King Louis XV sends shockwaves through the palace. The new monarch’s mistress, Madame du Barry, is summarily dismissed from court, paving the way for Louis XVI to assume the throne. Marie Antoinette accompanies her husband to Reims for his coronation ceremony, donning a regal facade despite the growing discontent among France’s working class.

As the Queen’s spending habits continue unchecked, she remains oblivious to the struggles of the common people. The young King, meanwhile, throws himself into foreign wars, further deepening France’s financial woes. A visit from her brother, Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (Danny Huston), provides a brief respite for Marie Antoinette. During their warm reunion, he shares candid advice on conjugal matters, leaving the Queen to ponder the secrets of the marital bed.

The King and Queen finally consummate their marriage, and Marie Antoinette soon finds herself expecting. In December 1778, she gives birth to a baby girl, Marie-Thérèse, though societal norms dictate that the royal mother must cede childcare responsibilities to others. Louis presents her with the Petit Trianon, a private haven amidst the grandeur of Versailles. There, she indulges in quiet moments with her daughter and closest friends, finding solace in nature’s peaceful beauty.

In the midst of lavish parties, Marie Antoinette forms a secret bond with Count Fersen, whose presence at court has become increasingly frequent. Despite this illicit affair, the Queen maintains a cordial relationship with Louis, their union marked by an air of amiable companionship.

As the years progress, France’s unwavering support for the American Revolution becomes increasingly costly, with substantial funds and troops being allocated to aid the fledgling nation in its fight against British dominance. The financial burden takes a toll on the French people, leading to recurring food shortages and violent protests in the capital city of Paris. Marie Antoinette’s reputation among her subjects has crumbled, with her extravagant lifestyle and perceived callous disregard for the common folk inspiring scathing political caricatures in local newspapers, earning her the derisive moniker “Madame Déficit.” As she begins to mature and assume more responsibility as a mother, Marie Antoinette makes a conscious effort to tone down her opulent ways, including a decision to cease purchasing diamonds. Following the death of her mother in November 1780, Marie Antoinette gives birth to a boy, Louis-Joseph, who becomes the new Dauphin. A year later, she welcomes another son, but his life is tragically cut short in infancy.

As tensions escalate, the French Revolution reaches its boiling point in July 1789, with an enraged mob setting out on a march from Paris to Versailles. As the nobility flees the country in droves, the royal family remains steadfast, refusing to abandon their palace home. However, as the sans-culottes’ rioting intensifies, the King and Queen are eventually captured by the revolutionaries and forced to depart the following morning. The film concludes with a somber scene of the royal family’s transfer from Versailles to the Tuileries, where they will be confined in semi-imprisonment. A haunting image of Marie Antoinette’s bedchamber lies abandoned, ravaged by the mob.

In the final days of her life, Marie Antoinette (played by Kirsten Dunst) would face the ultimate price for her royal status. In a chilling footnote to the film, it is revealed that Louis XVI met his end at the hands of the revolutionaries in early 1793, followed by Marie Antoinette’s own beheading mere months later that same year. With the French monarchy abolished, France transitions from a monarchic system to a Republic.