Monday 4 April 2011

"Marie Antoinette" (1938)


Over on my other blog, promoting my forthcoming novel Popular, I've started a series of short articles on some of my favourite movies. In chronological order, of course. I started with the brilliant MGM epic Marie Antoinette, staring Norma Shearer (above) in the title role.

"... with its leading lady, Marie Antoinette gives by far the most accurate and honest dramatisation of Marie-Antoinette yet seen on screen. As a young woman, she is certainly frivolous, extravagant and "terrified of boredom," but she is also warm-hearted, friendly, honest and kind. Most importantly, Marie Antoinette captures what more modern versions of her life have failed to show - that as she grew up, she possessed a dignity and regal self-assurance that even her enemies commented upon. Given that Norma Shearer manages to convincing play Marie-Antoinette from a naive but well-intentioned teenager to an heroic but heartbroken widow, it's easy to see why so many people praised the performance."

To read the full article, click here.

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