Period drama lovers may not yet have watched this gem of a movie, released in 2006. Starring Steve Coogan, the historical picture has been highlighted by Harper’s Bazaar in its listing of “The 20 best period dramas”.
Marie Antoinette is a historical drama film written, directed, and produced by Sofia Coppola. It is based on the 2001 biography Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser. The film covers the life of Marie Antoinette in the years leading up to the French Revolution.
Alongside Coogan, Kirsten Dunst stars in the title role, alongside an ensemble cast, which includes Jason Schwartzman, Judy Davis, Rip Torn, Rose Byrne, Asia Argento, Molly Shannon, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston, and Jamie Dornan in his film debut.
The film’s synopsis reads: “An Austrian teenager (Dunst) marries the Dauphin (Schwartzman) of France and becomes that country’s queen following the death of King Louis XV (Davis) in 1774. Years later, after a life of luxury and privilege, Marie Antoinette loses her head during the French Revolution.”
Marie Antoinette received a mix of critical reviews upon its release but has since garnered significant acclaim for its visual style, unique soundtrack, and particularly the lead performance by Kirsten Dunst. It also won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design and the Cannes Film Festival Cinema Prize.
One viewer wrote a rave review, which said: “Immediately, you realise this is not a typical biopic. From the start, the young princess is poked and prodded to make sure she is adequate to serve as the future Queen of France; a standard that requires her to forgo her beloved Austrian dog for a French one.
“She lives in an incredible bubble where all eyes are on her — from the comically bureaucratic morning dressing procedures through every meal. This is until the once captivating Queen loses faith with the people after her true and false life of hedonism is published throughout the country.”
“Sophia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst’s collaborations are my favourite. This one I loved especially because I loved “Marie Antoinette: the Journey” by Antonia Fisher, and this movie really captures the pomp and circumstance of Versailles, as laid out in the book,” another added.
Marie Antoinette is available to purchase on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.