Powerful

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

The true story seems to have been cleaned for the film, but it adheres to the historical account somewhat. Jeanne seemed to have been quite a liar in real life while Hilary is scrumptious and hautaine. Good story for the film, comedic at times.

What struck me most in this film was the excellent baroque wardrobe and the sets, much in line with Versailles environment. The film portrays a true story of betrayal, intrigue and drama, but it lacks a well explored and solid script. If the writer had spent more time building characters and transforming this true story in an engaging and convincing plot, Jeanne de Valois's drama would have been much more addictive. Instead, this story does not seem to move us or charm us. I feel the director was so dazzled by the court dresses, wigs and goldsmiths that he forgot to really demand more from his staff.Hillary Swank does everything she can to save the movie and her character, and I was assured that her talent helped a lot to improve the film. Equally good was the work of Jonathan Pryce in the role of a libidinous and corrupt cardinal. Joely Richardson is very beautiful and has made a Marie Antoinette satisfactory, but does not have much time or space to shine. More striking was Christopher Walken, in the character of a con man, or Simon Baker, who gave life to Rétaux de Vilette, a courtier. Unfortunately, without an engaging plot, these efforts were not enough to take from me the impression that this film is essentially "fireworks" (very beautiful, but also very void).

I am sure my petit fours comment piqued your interest...or at least confused you. I compare "The Affair of the Necklace" to this fancified little cake because like petit fours, the film looks great but once you sink your teeth into it, it is quite unappealing. Looks good--but that is all is how I see this film."The Affair of the Necklace" is a costume drama set in the latter period of the reign of Louis XVI of France. It's based on a true story of intrigue that only served to discredit the monarchy more and tip the nation a bit closer toward revolution. The problem is....who cares?! The film is too jam-packed full of knowing glances and quiet intrigues that it lacks the one important element in such a film--energy. You just don't care about the characters and the film is pretty but also quite empty.The film stars Hillary Swank--a very good actress and I am sure a nice person, but also a star hopelessly miscast. Her character is supposed to be an extremely desirable lady--but Swank just isn't that sort of actress and so the film was a stretch. I understood why the cast spoke English--it was NOT a French language production. But, it also seemed weird that the character of Marie Antoinette (Joely Richardson) was played by an English actress, as Marie was Austrian and SHOULD have had a German accent--or at least a trace of it. Regardless, the cast tried--but the material was too dry and too dull. The overall effort is slow going--and not especially involving.

This was a movie I had always had a slight interest in seeing and never gotten around to it, then I eventually forced myself to rent it and I must say I really did enjoy it. For all the history buffs this is not a movie for them, but if you really just sit down and watch without analyzing every detail it is very enjoyable. The plot is very interesting and interwoven and for the most part the cast does an excellent job. My only exception was unfortunately Hilary Swank. I have always loved Hilary Swank, but she didn't seem to have a clear understanding of what she wanted to portray with Jeanne. Jonathan Pryce was absolutely fantastic as the cardinal. He conveyed a danger that was very subtle yet frightening at the same time. The costumes were amazing, and I was very happy to see some scenes actually shot in "The Hall of Mirrors." Charles Shyer didn't blow me away with his directing style and some shots seemed uneven and out of place, but it was in no way distracting. Overall, it's a movie that doesn't necessarily require you to think very much, but it is still enjoyable. I'd recommend it for a lazy afternoon next chance you get.