Marie Antoinette (2006)

☆ ☆ ½

Marie Antoinette (2006) – S. Coppola

Stylishly shot and lavish in production values but empty and too long, this biopic of Marie Antoinette is a bit of a dud.  Too bad, because I really want to like Sofia Coppola’s movies! We should be simpatico and not just because we are from the same generation – she also likes indie rock.  Plus, I don’t mind style over substance – in fact, excessive style can be a plus (a la Orson Welles).  Yet, after The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation, I haven’t enjoyed any of her subsequent features.  Perhaps they are too dull (Somewhere), insipid (The Bling Ring), or awkward (the mash-up of indie rock and American teen behaviour with Versailles in the 18^th century found here).  Nevertheless, Kirsten Dunst does have presence and valiantly uses her charm to give the film some spark – but it can’t be sustained.  Jason Schwartzman is vacuous (presumably on purpose) and Steve Coogan is unfathomably here in a straight role.  But there are some great looking shots, sets, and locations.