Marie Antoinette

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Nick Z Oct 12 By almost any standard yet set in Hollywood, this one's a colossus of style and elegance with MGM's resident 'queen of the lot', Norma Shearer assuming the reins of the doomed French monarch. Shearer acquits herself nicely of a script that rewrites history and has the wanton recast as a mostly respectable gal who assuages the throne, but can never quite win the heart of the only man she really loves. News flash - it's not her husband. Reportedly, Shearer's reeling from the loss of her real husband, Irving Thalberg, made for some uncomfortable times on the set with co-star, Tyrone Power. Otherwise, this is an elegant affair, tricked out in all the finery MGM could muster up in its prime. Fun fact: the props on display were imported by the late Thalberg and represent the largest consignment ever to pass through U.S. customs. What a spectacle! See more S R @ScottR 03/28/2024 I enjoyed learning more about the history and the people. However, the accuracy must certainly be called into question. Regardless, I enjoyed it despite its positive side to all of it; glossing over the questionable moral issues. Saw on TCM. See more Daryl S 03/14/2023 Very good movie. It skips over some of the politicking that ultimately resulted in her death, but was an excellent and moving picture that was very factual as we know the history of the time. See more michael d 12/26/2021 MGM's lavishly budgeted look at the French Revolution during the reign of King Louis and his famously selfish MARIE ANTOINETTE spares no expense in detailing the grim background of court conspiracies and the people's unrest that led to their downfall. Too bad none of this eye-popping splendor wasn't captured in Technicolor, as originally planned--but with a budget well over 1.5 million it was decided to film it in glorious B&W. No matter, it's still a spectacle for sore eyes. There can be no doubt about NORMA SHEARER's triumph in the title role nor is any of the acting in the large cast below standard. ROBERT MORLEY as the weak and indecisive Louis is immensely touching and effective as he realizes the gravity of their predicament. JOHN BARRYMORE is fine and Joseph SCHILDKRAUT is wonderful as an aristocratic fop. TYRONE POWER lends his romantic presence to a role that requires little more than his good looks. He and Shearer make a physically appealing romantic team. It's interesting that Irving Thalberg died before production began on the film. One wonders whether his influence on it might have made it an even stronger production. There are definite lulls in the telling but it builds dramatically to all of the final scenes. It's the kind of film that leads one to read more about the actual events and that's always a good thing. Summing up: Sumptuously produced, well acted and well directed--what more could you want for an interesting glimpse of a life of royalty among a time of social upheaval? Shearer's triumphant return to the screen after a two-year absence. See more william d @acsdoug 02/12/2021 They spent some money on this one. The sets are lavish and the extras are numerous. The film is even (reasonably) historically accurate, although it makes the title character more sympathetic by glossing over her profligate spending and partying. Two things prevent me from giving a stronger recommendation. The first is Norma Shearer's overacting. The second is the film's first hour. It is quite dull; the film doesn't really pick up until the events of the Revolution kick in. See more steve d 07/23/2020 Norma Shearer is absolutely fantastic and it still works. See more Read all reviews

Marie Antoinette

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