Affair of the Necklace (2001)

   

Napoleon credited the French Revolution to three things. An unsympathetic monarchy, political unrest abroad, and “the affair of the necklace.” This film makes its heroine a lot more likable than her historical counterpart (the real Jeanne La Motte was not a nice person). It’s one of the most captivating films I’ve ever seen.

 

The story centers on Jeanne La Motte (Hillary Swank), left penniless by the political unrest in France. The government accused her father of siding with the Republic and seized his property. Ten years later, Jeanne seeks to have them restored by enlisting the aid of Marie Antoinette (Jolie Richardson). She hopes her petition proving herself a member of royalty will engage the queen’s sympathy, but the queen ignores her attempts to gain an audience.

 

Her beauty, flash, and spirit catch the eye of Rétaux de Villette (Sim Baker), the court’s resident playboy and a favorite of the distinguished women in Antoinette’s inner circle. Drawn by her naïve desire to see wrongs righted, he agrees to help her gain access to the throne by manipulating Cardinal Rohan (Jonathan Pryce), the church’s lecherous authority in France. Animosity has long existed between Antoinette and the cardinal for a remark he made about bedding half the Austrian court, including her mother. Knowing she can use his weakness to their advantage, Jeanne and Rétaux create a complex scheme to bring about the return of her property using an elaborate, expensive diamond necklace. The king commissioned the royal jewelers to make it for his mistress, but she is now banished from court.

 

Hoping Antoinette will want it, Jeanne takes it to her with a plea for mercy, claiming it has placed them in debt. Sneering at them, Antoinette refuses its purchase. When the jewelers learn of Jeanne’s falsified friendship with the queen, they enlist her help to persuade the monarch to buy the jewels. The consequences will send France spiraling into turmoil, and it will hold one woman responsible for the downfall of an empire.

 

The film is intriguing and compelling, with a heroine not above stealing, lying, and blackmail. But the movie doesn’t know whose side to take; we feel empathy for the main characters, but also sorry for the monarchy. We even hope the lecherous and immoral cardinal comes out unscathed. From a visual standpoint, it’s a masterpiece. The costuming, set design, and cinematography are breathtaking, with gorgeous camera angles. Antoinette’s entrance amid a showering of flower petals, her visitation to Jeanne in prison in the falling snow, and a midnight meeting in the garden are just a few highlights. The rich colors and textures transport us to a politically unstable France on the brink of revolution.

 

The movie also illustrates the greatest determent to the French’s failed attempt for liberty—its godlessness. Not only does the cardinal indulge in sinful pleasures, he also consults a resident alchemist and seer, Count Cagliostro (Christopher Walkin), whom Jeanne pays him to help her manipulate the cardinal. The Affair of the Necklace is an interesting historical piece with a dark but memorable conclusion. 

   

Sexual Content:

Jeanne's marriage is of convenience and both partners seek fulfillment elsewhere. Twice we briefly see female upper nudity -- on a prostitute fawning over Cagliostro in a brothel, and when the cardinal rips open a woman's dress. (Other bodices are also ripped open, with clear intimations.) Jeanne and Rtaux get as far as undressing one another and rolling around on the floor before her husband announces his presence. Innuendo hints at homosexual relationships among the court and Rtaux is (justly) accused of being a plaything for older women.

   

Language:

Three uses of GD, an abuse of deity, and one minor profanity.

   

Violence:

A woman is whipped and branded with an iron, and a beheading is implied.