Corsage

Life begins at forty, or so they say, so much living to enjoy from that big day, you can starve yourself to death, injecting drugs, to reduce stress, seduce your cousin, to find he doesn't want to play. As an Empress, you have everything you want, the world outside wants to see what you have to flaunt, but you like to use a double, can't be bothered with the trouble, and you've cut your hair, to ridicule and taunt. It's been observed, that you've become, a little vain, look for compliments, to take away the pain, your husband's disengaged, you often cause him some outrage, you have disdain that you suck in, and then constrain.

Great performance from the wonderful Vicky Krieps but if you're not a huge fan of the character or the era you may find it a little less engaging than you might like.

Based on a true story of the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria who was also Queen of Hungary: in the late 1800s, Elisabeth (Vicky Krieps) struggles with life and mental health mainly due to her troubled marriage with Emperor Franz Joseph (Florian Teichtmeister). She has recently turned forty and is further depressed by the changes in her appearance.

"Corsage" has a pleasant, steady flow all the way through and it is blessed with a fine lead performance by Krieps as well as European beauty and glamour (it takes place in various European locations).

There is occasional confusion regarding different time periods as the film is non-linear and some important parts of the film are deliberately revisionist. But it is a pleasant experience overall. It can also be praised for not taking sides in the various conflicts and showing compassion for all sides.

In drawing attention to unhappy royals, it's easy to think of a certain couple who recently cut ties with the British royal family. While it is true that even those at the top of the social hierarchy can be unhappy with their lot in life, they certainly have the means to make luxurious accommodations to alleviate their troubles. Elisabeth makes trips to England, Bavaria, and Italy while being waited upon. Maybe, there ought to be stories of those doing the waiting-upon as they may not have been happy with their lot in life either. But despite being privileged, it is still possible to sympathize with Elisabeth's life in a golden cage. - dbamateurcritic.

This film was beautifully shot and I enjoyed the aesthetics. The lead actress was entertaining, and sometimes spellbinding. But that's about it.

It can't even be described as a 'slow burn' as that usually includes some ups and downs, but this really didn't. It was such a steady storytelling that I never felt any highs or lows.

I was very confused as this was supposed to be 19th century but had elements of 20th century. That distracted me as I didn't get a sense of place or time to try and plug into the story.

Overall a film that will probably appeal to those more intelligent/informed/interested than I am.

A beautifully shot and elegiac film that explores the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria as she navigates the expectations of her culture and her own desires. Vicky Krieps gives a layered and nuanced performance as Elisabeth, and the metaphor of the corset effectively symbolizes the constrictions of her privileged but powerless life. While the film is unabashedly fictionalized, it effectively captures the internal struggles of a woman who is constantly told what to do and who grapples with the fear of losing her beauty and power as she ages. The sumptuous settings and contemporary songs add to the overall atmosphere of the film, which is both poignant and thought-provoking. Overall, "Corsage" is a worthwhile watch for fans of historical dramas and those interested in exploring themes of beauty, power, and the constraints of societal expectations.

There are several different ways to watch this movie.

You could analyze its historical accuracy, and you would find grounds for criticism.

You could be bothered by the fact that we're expected to sympathize with an empress, and you would find her personal struggles tiny, even pathetic, compared to the realities of her people.

But you could also decide to enjoy the acting, the script and the beautiful settings. And I did. The brilliantly understated acting by Vicky Krieps forms the core of this movie, and she is supported by great performances by almost the entire cast. All in all, writer/director Marie Kreutzer and the actors make this story believable, even surprisingly relatable.