• After lost in translation (and largely because it came after that masterpiece) this was viewed as a major disappointment upon initial release but it’s a visually stunning film. Sofia was given a larger budget for this after lost and it’s not a perfect film- but the money is up there on the screen and it’s quite transcendent
  • Oscar win for best costume is well deserved- Milena Canonero worked with Francis Ford Coppola (cotton club, godfather III), Kubrick (the shining, clockwork orange, barry lyndon), Wes Anderson (Darjeeling, life aquatic, brand Budapest), out of Africa, titus, dick tracy– a virtuoso genius.
  • Casting of Dario argento daughter
  • Talented ensemble- some of them in cameo or seldom used like judy davis, steve coogan, tom hardy
  • You can see the similarities to barry lyndon and wes Anderson with the symmetry and exacting detail in the décor
  • There’s some interesting sofia/father autobiographical stuff going on here with the unready young and naïve heiress coming into the world she’s not quite ready for—along those same lines dunst (who is great here) and her Antoinette is not a flake (though I think the social criticism of paris hilton and other empty-headed heiresses (all shopping and tiny dogs) is still on-point)- she’s young and naïve and she turns jaded and selfish when those close turn against her
  • Filmed inside Versailles for first time- it’s magnificent photography and set pieces
  • Largely a dialogue-less movie with an inspired 80’s “me-generation” soundtrack and amazing visuals
  • Prologue shot of indulgences is a great foreshadowing shot
  • Isolation shot—dunst alone on the balcony amongst the massive castle—again- this film doesn’t really need dialogue at all—heavy soundtrack and montage heavy as well
  • Not sure the “fools rush in” song fits- feels out of place
  • Top 5 of the year quality film
  • Must-See