La favorita del rey

Very much in the vein of the recent "Versailles" and "Marie Antoinette" serialisations, this rather opulent drama shows us a little of the excesses and ridiculousness of court life in 18th century France. This time, it's Jeanne Bécu (Maïwenn) who is the shrewd young woman who quickly learns how to use her "charms" to get on in life. Eventually, she is noticed by the ambitious Count du Barry (Melvil Poupaud) who is friends with the Duc de Richelieu (Pierre Richard) who happens to be a procurer of fun for King Louis XV (Johnny Depp). Nervously introduced, she pours a little scorn on the silliness of court protocol and provides him with quite a refreshingly honest companion. Of course, his daughters immediately take offence and the arrival of Marie Antoinette (Pauline Pullman) to marry the Dauphin (Diego Le Fur) ensures battle lines are quickly drawn. The now married Countess du Barry cannot remain at court if she is constantly shunned by the Dauphine, so a bit of well costumed political intrigue ensues as the King and his mistress struggle to find a little recognition for her and happiness for them both. I found there to be quite an effective chemistry between Depp and Maïwenn, especially during the protracted malarkey that was his morning levée, and I loved the absurd wigs on his disproving daughter Princess Adélaïde (India Hair), who led a troupe of her entitled and unpleasant sisters like ducklings along behind her. It's a gorgeous film to watch, the beauty and grandeur of his palatial home and the whole aesthetic really works well at delivering a grand environment for the plotter and the sycophant. Depp doesn't really have too much to do here and the writing isn't the best though. At times it renders it little better than a very well produced, expensive, pantomime and I could have done with just a little more character development of both the principals here. That said, it's a classy and stylish piece of cinema that looks very impressive on big screen.

This movie has great visual beauty: costumes and settings are breathtaking and the cinematography is impressive. But I did have some mixed feelings when leaving the theater. This was partly due to the writing, that felt at times a bit lazy, with superficial dialogues and some abrupt jumps in time, that they tried to overcome by a voice-over filling-in several chronologic blanks (talk about lazy!).

Johnny Depp is convincing as Louis XV, his somewhat mumbling and understated way of acting suits the character fine and his French diction is impeccable. The king's mischievous sisters are at many times hilarious, and I was impressed by Benjamin Lavernhe as the king's trusted valet, his part is one of the few more multilayered ones, and he moved me to tears when at the end he had to say goodbye to his dying master. But the parts of Jeanne's beloved stepson Adolphe, as well as that of Louis's beloved third daughter, stay way too sketchy (both having hardly one line to speak) to make the supposedly enormous impact that their loss had on Jeanne and Louis relatable.

My biggest problem however was Maïwenn. She is also the director and one of the writers, and apparently couldn't resist the challenge of also taking on the major and pivotal part of Jeanne. Jeanne DuBarry was 24 years old when she, as a young and ravishing beauty, caught the eye of King Louis. Well, Maïwenn can hardly be called a beauty; besides, she was already past 45 at the time of shooting, and clearly looked her age. In her sumptuous costumes she may make a royal impression, but it's hard to swallow that the king specifically chose her out of that endless line of much more attractive and younger women.

In short: not really bad, with great visual beauty (and by the way an equally impressive score!), but unfortunately neither really good.

The main kick to see it is represented, no doubts, by Johnny Depp. Who, indeed, is a magnificent Louis XV. But the authentic gift is Pierre Richard in a surprising skin of duke of Richelieu or beautiful portraits of Dauphin and Marie Antoinette. , near the inspired portrait of La Borde proposed by Benjamin Lavernhe. A beautiful film for what you expect to define the beauty in a film about XVIII century. But little more that.

It is a film about seduction and loneliness and pleasure and compromises, lost and rivalry, rejection and life as circle but, in same measure, a fine - precise definition, subtle and some eccentric, of life.

Charming and provocative, not only for music, costumes or atmosphere but for fair reflection of fundamental truths.

In short, just delightful and a great Johnny Depp work.

The movie is truly beautifully designed and is filled with magnificent shots of Versailles. The locations and costumes have been carefully chosen and are a feast for the eyes. The story and the dialogues are entertaining enough to keep you engaged. Johnny Depp makes for a fantastic French king.

The film is directed by Maïwenn, who also plays the lead role. I can understand that a woman wants to play the role of Madame Du Barry (and she acts very well) but I don't see Madame Du Barry; I see Maïwenn. Her beauty is exaggerated. She has a coarse face with a huge mouth and a large set of teeth that give her a somewhat masculine look. I find her charming and likable, but I can't find the subtle, enchanting Madame Du Barry from the stories.

Although Maïwenn plays a character role, it's never explored and it's never really clear how her ambitions relate to her love for the king. Their love lacks intimacy and becomes somewhat understandable only towards the very end. But then it is too late for drama. The only drama in the movie comes from Benjamin Lavernhe. That man deserves a leading role.

I really enjoyed this film! The scenery and the costuming, and the love story set in the time period of Louis XV! Johnny Depp is a master at using his eyes, expression and body language to create a feel in the room where each scene happens. Maiwenn did an excellent portrayal of Jeanne, and you could really feel the chemistry between them. In one scene, the king comes in and totally dominates the room communicating such feeling without words. I highly recommend this film. It was easy to keep up with the French dialogue using the subtitles. The music also carries you away,! I highly recommend this film. You Will feel so many emotions!