FILM REVIEW: "Farewell My Queen"

[Rachel Galvin]

(opens Aug. 3 in select theaters)

 

By Rachel Galvin

The most well-known quote attributed to Marie Antoinette is "Let them eat cake." The connotation of this quip is that this queen cared not for her subjects who were poor and living in the streets while she lounged around her Palace of Versailles in full and sumptuous finery. Most movies about this queen are less than flattering, labeling her a harlet, a spendthrift and nonchalant. But the film "Farewell My Queen" paints a different picture, a more human one.

In this film, the queen (played by Diane Kruger) is like a simple girl in a woman's body, more concerned with embroidery on her dress or the stories in books than political affairs. But a storm is brewing (the French Revolution), one that history tells all too well. Knowing the situation, she is in denial, thinking she surely can escape; she can save her husband and her children and spirit away to some faraway place. But she is not one to cower; she is too prideful, proud of her country and her position. Unfortunately, her fate is not in her hands.

She confides in one particular lady-in-waiting, Sidone Laborde (Lea Seydoux) about her thoughts on the matter and reveals a secret, her love for a certain duchess (Virginie Ledoyen).

Meanwhile, Laborde secretly holds a different kind of affection for her queen, a sense of duty so strong she is willing to sacrifice her very life for her majesty. The film centers around this young girl and the daily world she lives in.

There is a sense of apprehension, suspense in this film, but nothing substantial is taking place ... the action of the commoners is not shown so much, just here and there with rumors and lists of those who should be decapitated. So unlike many films made of this event, this is less about the revolution and more about those who are affected by it. For those who like action, this is not your motion picture, but those who prefer contemplative drama and history, you should enjoy this film in French with English subtitles even for the views of the palace and the costumes alone. And the acting is quite good as well.

(P.S. based on the trailer, you may think something a bit more scandalous goes on between the women. If that is why you are seeing this film, you are apt to be disappointed.)

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