The Affair Of The Necklace
This tale of intrigue and corruption is based on a true account of 18th Century French noblewoman Jeanne de la Motte-Valois (played by Oscar-winner Hilary Swank), whose family has been dispossessed of status and title by the king. To restore honor to her name, not to mention reclaim her family estate, Jeanne must have her lineage officially authenticated at the court of Versailles. After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain an audience with Marie Antoinette (Joely Richardson), Jeanne finds an ally in male courtesan Retaux de la Villette (Simon Baker), who advises her to try and gain influence at court by attracting a wealthy sponsor: Cardinal Rohan (Jonathan Pryce), a ruthless man whose appetite for women is only exceeded by his appetite for power. Aided by Villette, her estranged husband Nicolas (Adrien Brody), and an enigmatic foreign mystic, Count Cagliostro (Christopher Walken), Jeanne becomes embroiled in an elaborate scheme involving the cardinal, the queen, and the theft of a priceless diamond necklace. Director Charles Shyer's opulent costume drama, set against a backdrop of increasing civil unrest in pre-revolutionary France, was filmed in Prague and on location at Versailles.
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Critic's review of The Affair Of The Necklace
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Vapid and confusing period drama, based on actual events that contributed to the French Revolution, though it's impossible from this account to understand why.
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31733
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- Halliwell's Film Guide
- 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
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Most helpful member's review of The Affair Of The Necklace
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This film is absolutely gorgeous to look at. Having said that, it doesn't have a plot and the characters are 20th Century American, not 18th Century French...
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14175
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[Highly rated reviewer]
- a customer
- Reading, UK
- 10 Aug 2004 at 11:33
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Most recent members' reviews of The Affair Of The Necklace
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As Marie Antoinette's trial, this film is sadly a miscarriage of justice. It attempts to absolve the motives of one of history's most devious and ...
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899984
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- a customer
- Glasgow
- 19 Jun 2010 at 21:00
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Entertaining enough but very odd. Good cast (Hillary Swank in a period piece anyone?) and interesting plot, but still dosn't quite get there.
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833517
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- jonny
- 167 reviews
- Norwich
- 22 Nov 2009 at 16:34
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I really enjoyed this film, despite the previous review. I didn't find any of the actors wooden. The scenery and customs were lovelly. A nice way to ...
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796531
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- Trish47
- 2 reviews
- Hemel Hempstead
- 11 Aug 2009 at 15:38
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