Former queen Marie Antoinette is infamous for being a spoiled, cold woman, with no regard to her subjects. Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antionette (2006) depicts her just about opposite of that. Kirsten Dusnt, who plays our 14-year old protagonist, shows Antoinette as a familiar character to many: a confused teenager, who just wants to make people happy – who also happens to love shoes and sweets.
Instead of a tepid, Victorian feel as is often assumed of the time, Coppola gives us a delicious pink pastel setting. Shot in Versaille where the real Marie Antoinette lived for 19 years, the creative choices that took place for this movie made for a wonderful union of the pains of a
21st century teenager and 18th century queen. The unexpected harmony of the historically accurate costuming and 90’s themes produces an entertaining and impactful film.
It’s easy to be skeptical of this portrayal, as it took place in a corrupt time period of France. But that’s what makes this movie so great. It only focuses on Marie Antoinette life, and clearly she was not focusing on her belligerent subjects. The movie begins on a tree-covered border of France where Marie is stripped (literally) of all of her Austrian possessions, and she meets her future husband for the first time. 1978 English rock ballad “Hong Kong Garden” by Siouxsie and the Banshees plays over this introductory scene. Not what you would expect from a movie set in the late 1700s.
The soundtrack from this movie sounds like any 90’s teenager’s mixtape. New Order, The Strokes, and other favored bands from the late 20th century ring over scenes of extravagant mirrored hallways, feasts of cakes, cookies and candies, and shopping sprees. The music gives
the film a personal feel, as if these were the songs the French queen was listening to. Bow Wow’s ‘I Want Candy’ plays over my personal favorite scene. This delectable sequence shows royals indulging in sugary pastries, while trying on extravagant dresses and infinite amounts of shoes. In the background of one shot is a pair of lavender Converse, once again showing that, after all, Marie was just a teenager. It is also rumored that Dunst wore this popular pair of sneakers throughout shooting, as the dresses usually covered her feet. As someone who loves fashion and the band The Radio Dept. this film could not be more perfect.
Like so many biopics, this movie is based on a book depicting the life of our subject. There were a number of biographies for Coppola to choose from, but she quickly decided that Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Lady Antiona Fraser was the best choice for her adaptation. So many books of Marie Antoinette paint a primarily negative portrait of her, and though she was by no means a perfect queen there was a lot under the surface. Coppola speaks on the book saying it is, “the best one… full of life, not a dry historical drama.” This book also stands out from many of the others, as it shows Antoinette’s struggle with the pressure of becoming a mother and pleasing her family back home in Austria. These themes break through the glitz and glam of this movie, making it a standout piece of media.
Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette gives a delightful perspective on the life of one of history’s most taboo figures. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it discusses surprisingly relevant matters. Watch it if you are an angsty teenager, a history nerd, or just a fan of the 90s.
