I wanted to see this in the cinema, but missed out. So when I was in bed knocked out by the flu, my boyfriend rented it for me. I liked it so much I bought the DVD the next week. (and it’s still good without the fever)

The visuals are sublime, especially the use of color and light, they set the mood (as in Virgin Suicides). As for the story being ‘hollow’ or ‘shallow’, I disagree. The plot is more subtle, it is essentially a coming of age story, and centers on Marie-Antoinette’s emotions, trying to cope with the imprisonment of court life, her duties to two countries and an arranged mariage. Yet the movie never becomes tragic, there’s a light and fun touch in many scenes that balances the whole nicely.