Sidonie Laborde would not even rate much
of a footnote in history. She lives at Versailles in the days just prior to the
French Revolution and acts as Queen Marie Antoinette’s reader. She is on
intimate terms with the queen (whom she loves). When itching from numerous
mesquito bites, the queen personally applies rose water to sooth her--a very
intimate moment. But queen has scandalized court by loving too indiscretely
Gabrielle de Polignac.
Living among the hundreds of backstairs
servants, courtiers and hangers-on, Sidonie’s life remains a puzzle, filled
with gossip, innuendo, and whispers heard outside doorways. Early on in the
film, Sidonie pumps on of the court clerks for information and learns that the
Bastille has been stormed.
Sidonie begins to realize no one is
safe. When one of the courtiers reads from a list the rebels have prepared of the 250 some whose heads will fall first, Marie Antoinette is second. The courtier is 25th.
The fear of all the “others” living at
Versailles is palable. As the country crumbles, Marie Antoinette plans a new
summer frock, frets about saving her lover, considers fleeing to the country,
and begins taking her jewelry apart so the gems could pack more easily. The
court and their servants begin packing for a trip which might never occur, some
run off, one even commits suicide. At the same time Sidonie embroiders a dahlia
for her mistress’ new dress, has a dalliance with one of Versailles’ gondoliers,
and tries to understand what is happening.
Not a lot of action
happens in the film, but the film never fails to interest, a superb history
lesson.
Diane Kruger as Marie Antoinette is beautiful, fascinating and an enigma. Her sumptuous wardrobe and rather fragile beauty illuminate the rich décor of Versailles. Léa Seydoux as Sidonie makes a good guide through her backstairs world. She shows us her ultimate devotion to the queen, even to allowing herself to act as a decoy to save her beloved’s lover. Noémie Lvovsky as Mme Campan is also a fascinating study. Lady in waiting to the queen, she confides at one point to Sidonie that in all her years at court, she never made a friend. Her own moment of revolution comes when she tells Sidonie not to do something the queen is going to ask her to do.
The yellow/green gown worn by the queen’s lover becomes a symbol of the defiance and cluelessness of the aristocracy and takes on a rich meaning by the end of the film.
Ultimately the film asks the question, What would you do for the person you love?
Farewell, My Queen (2012) *****
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