This piece was originally published in Delude Magazine in 2023. I recently discovered Delude’s website no longer exists and wanted to republish it here.
Sofia Coppola’s adaptation of the life of the infamous Marie Antoinette tells a story that focuses on the vulnerability and isolation of the teen Queen of France. The hardships of girlhood are truly reflected and embraced in Marie Antoinette. The viewer is invited to explore the mind of Antoinette, who is so clearly an outcast amongst the perfectly sophisticated French courtiers of the royal palace, in contrast, we see her innocent American accent, youthful mannerisms, girlish gossip and frivolous spending. This film explores Marie Antoinette’s feelings from the moment she stepped foot in France as a 14-year-old girl to the moment she became Queen at 19 years old. Coppola directed this story with a fresh, post-modern perspective on how the young Queen really felt.
Throughout the film, we are bombarded by this flamboyant and ostentatious vision of luxury, and a youthful and slightly naive idea of royalty and wealth. The film is most known for its strong aesthetic vision. Its pastel colours, delicious cakes, pastries and sweet treats, the unbelievable scenery, architecture and interiors of the Palace of Versailles and the collection of luscious gowns, satins and bows and shoes, shoes, shoes.
Projections of Marie’s youth are consistent throughout the film. Coppola, alongside costume designer Milena Canonero, altered small details of Marie’s wardrobe in order to emphasise her immaturity and girlish adolescence. Changes were made to her accessories such as wearing delicate ribbons around her neck as opposed to the pearls and diamonds that we see the Queen wearing in paintings. The fabrics used to make her costumes were also chosen to appear more contemporary, softer and lighter; organza and tulle instead of lace, cotton as
opposed to more rigid heavier brocade and jacquard fabrics. Her makeup was lightened to again highlight her youth; rosier cheeks, soft eyes and light pinks on her lips. These features of her costumes add an identity that differentiates her from the rest of the characters who, in contrast, are heavily adorned with jewels and darker, grander costumes and stronger makeup.
The much loved “I Want Candy” scene is a pinnacle mark of Marie’s adolescence. The scene is moments after Marie’s breakdown over the pressure to have a child after Louis’ sister gives birth. It is an expression of her acting out against the expectations that she is not ready to fulfil. In this scene, the viewer is presented with a montage of cakes and lavish displays of French treats, thousands of shoes designed by Manolo Blahnik, a sneaky pair of lilac Converse (a purposeful addition to, again, express the Queen’s youth and a twist of contemporary culture), plush fabrics and gowns flung around the room, dogs in diamond necklaces, parties with gambling, spilt champagne, and fabulous hairstyles by David Walliams’ super camp character, Leonard. This is everyone's favourite and most memorable scene, it is fun and youthful and modern, and don't we all wish we could shop for the most gorgeous shoes and gowns whilst eating delicious cakes and playing with dogs in Versailles?
The New Romantics movement, a UK club and music culture of the late 70s and early 80s, heavily inspired the look and sound of Marie Antoinette. The fashion style of this movement was influenced by “camp” 18th Century, with a touch of fetish gothic and punky edge. Coppola’s use of the New Romantics era as inspiration enhanced her modern twist on the story.
Coppola's script and direction narrowed the frame entirely, giving the viewer a more sympathetic view of Marie Antoinette's infamous behaviours and the devastating consequences of the actions of a misguided teenage Queen. Coppola is empathising with a young girl who had no worldly experience and was completely isolated, she revisits this story with a narrative that is relatable to a younger audience, who can literally put themselves in Marie’s lilac Converse shoes. Sofia Coppola has a way of portraying girlhood that speaks to a generation of young women.
Thank you so much for reading! This piece means a lot to me as it was the first time I was published outside of my own blogs. I am very grateful to Delude Magazine for publishing me and I do hope the magazine returns one day!
I am still working on an essay that was delayed due to headaches and now I am about to go on holiday. I am hoping to publish it later in the month and get back to my usual schedule in September.
Hope you are all having a lovely summer!
Love, Bella <3