Jeanne du Barry (2023)

EXT. FRENCH JACK SPARROW – DAY That’s all I have to say FADE OUT.

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.