[FILM REVIEW] JEANNE DU BARRY Review (2024)
Summary: The life of Jeanne Bécu who was born as the illegitimate daughter of an impoverished seamstress in 1743 and went on to rise through the Court of Louis XV to become his last official mistress.
Year: 2024
Cinema Release Dates: 18th April 2024 (Australia), TBA (Thailand), TBA (UK), 29th September 2023 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: 7th December 2023 (UK)
Country: France, Belgium, UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia
Director: Maiwenn
Screenwriter: Maiwenn, Teddy Lussi-Modeste, Nicolas Livecchi
Cast: Loli Bahia (Jeanne du Barry (teenager)), Marianne Basler (Anne), Marie Bokillon (Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun), Thibault Bonenfant (Adolphe), Luna Carpiaux (Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun (teenager)), Caroline Chaniolleau (Madame de le Garde), Patrick d’Assumcao (Choiseul), Suzanne de Baecque (Victoire), Edourd Decker (Prince de ligne), Johnny Depp (Louis XV), Emma Kabore Dufour (Jeanne du Barry (infant)), Pascal Greggory (Emmaunel-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis), India Hair (Adelaide de France), Benjamin Lavernhe (La Borde), Diego Le Fur (Le Dauphin), Laura Le Velly (Sophie), Micha Lescot (Mercy), Maiwenn (Jeanne du Barry), Bernard Nissile (Pere Gomard), Gregoire Oestermann (Abbe Maudou), Pauline Pollmann (Marie-Antoinette), Melvil Poupaud (Comte du Barry), Robin Renucci (Dumousseaux), Nathalie Richard (Madame de la Roche Fontenille), Pierre Richard (Duc de Richelieu), Manon Rony (Felicite), Erika Sainte (Anne), Stanislas Stanic (Narrator (voice)), Alexandre Styker (Edouard), Capucine Valmary (Louise), Aurelle Verillon (Mme Labille)
Running Time: 117 minutes
Classification: TBC (Australia), TBC (Thailand), 15 (UK), TBC (USA)
OUR JEANNE DU BARRY REVIEWS
Alex First’s Jeanne du Barry Review
A sweeping period drama, Jeanne du Barry covers the rise and fall (predominantly the former) of the primary lover of a former King of France.
Born Jeanne Bécu (Maïwenn) on 19th August 1743, she was the illegitimate daughter of a monk and a cook, brought up by her mother.
Of lowly stock, her road to the king’s bedchamber is an intriguing and circuitous one, marked by her intelligence, artistry and industriousness.
Displaying charm and wit, she longs to climb the social ladder.
Soon enough, she recognises her sensuality and sexuality and becomes a skilled courtesan.
Her benefactor, the Comte du Barry (Melvil Poupaud) grows rich through her amorous encounters.
All the more so when she is introduced by the influential Duke of Richelieu (Pierre Richard) to notorious womaniser King Louis XV. He is played by Johnny Depp in his first French language speaking role.
It is intoxication at first site and the King quickly declares her his favourite, while she unapologetically ignores propriety and etiquette … and gets away with it.
To show his affection for her, the King gifts her a striking, expensive necklace and an exotic, young black boy.
With the help of his valet La Borde (Benjamin Lavernhe), King Louis moves Jeanne into his Versailles palace, sparking both derision and scandal.
Standing in the way of their brazen love affair are three of the King’s four daughters, who show her ill-will and ridicule.
The arrival of Marie Antoinette (Pauline Pollmann), who went on to become the last Queen of France before the French Revolution, marks yet another tipping point.
As director and co-writer, Maïwenn’s journey to bringing Jeanne du Barry’s story to the screen began after seeing Sofia Copolla’s Marie Antoinette in 2006.
She felt a strong connection to the character played by Asia Argento, but needed to feel confident she could do justice to the subject matter.
That took over a decade, during which she immersed herself into learning more about du Barry.
The movie has been sumptuously filmed in 35mm on location at Versailles, arguably the palace to end all palaces. Having seen it, I can attest to that.
Jeanne du Barry features majestic costuming and production design (it has been richly orchestrated), along with a series of striking performances.
Foremost among them is Maïwenn, who excels as the woman that plays a dangerous game. She displays warmth and wanton abandon.
Benjamin Lavernhe is the master of diplomacy and restraint as the King’s trusted personal attendant.
Depp fares well enough, mostly by virtue of the kowtowing that goes on around him in his role as ruler.
Cinematographer Laurent Dailland has done a fine job capturing the opulence and allure of the palace and the pomp and ceremony that goes on around it.
Jeanne du Barry, the film, is spirited and alluring, a satirical historic drama with flourishes.
Alex’s rating Out Of 5
Average Subculture rating Out Of 5
Other Jeanne du Barry Reviews
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