Dunst dazzles in royal role as Marie Antoinette
By Scott Medway / Student Publications
Kirsten Dunst's exceptional performance in the film is one of many reasons to check out Marie Antoinette. Sofia Coppola's rendition of the story of Antoinette brings a subtle touch to a big-screen production.
As a bit of a history nerd, I had been looking forward to Sofia Coppola's take on the French queen's tragic history.
Marie Antoinette did not disappoint. The story begins with the young Austrian princess journeying to France to become the wife of the young heir to the French throne, and it follows her history to the beginning of the French Revolution.
Kirsten Dunst is breathtaking in the lead role, bringing an unexpected innocence and charm to the infamous queen. It is difficult to avoid pitying the 15-year-old princess, who was forced to leave her home and family behind.
The remainder of the roles, most notably Louis XV (Rip Torn) and Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzmann), were expertly portrayed and served to compliment Dunst without overshadowing her character.
Though the royal characters may be far removed from typical modern life, the cast brings them alive as if you know them.
The plot unfolded at a seemingly leisurely pace, especially considering that it covered nearly 20 years of her life. Coppola employs a subtlety rarely seen in such large-scale Hollywood films, and she pays close attention to small details of court life that she could just as easily exclude, though to lesser effect. Marie Antoinette conveys an understanding of Marie Antoinette as both a woman and an historical figure.
The action may be a bit slow for some viewers, who won't be interested in the queen quoting philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau or listening to reports on the state of France. However, these viewers can content themselves with taking in the continuous optical delights, which continue to impress, because the oppulence of 18th century royalty lends itself so well to visual spectacle. The footage of Versailles and the French countryside is quite stunning.
The costumes are also particularly striking, and the male audience will especially appreciate the period costumes, which give Dunst's breasts impressive lift. (This alone should make Marie Antoinette a great date movie, guys.)
The historically-savvy viewer will have to temporarily suspend judgement as far as historical accuracy is concerned, from the king acting like the revolution is a surprise to a pair of Chucks that appears for a fraction of a second in one of the films' well-crafted montages. (The montages, I might add, are perfect for giving a feel of the period without devoting too much time to it.) Though not 100 percent accurate, Marie Antoinette is definitely worth seeing.
