The Affair of the Necklace (2001)

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Blistering performances.

What struck me most in this film was the excellent baroque wardrobe and the sets, much in line with Versailles environment. The film portrays a true story of betrayal, intrigue and drama, but it lacks a well explored and solid script. If the writer had spent more time building characters and transforming this true story in an engaging and convincing plot, Jeanne de Valois's drama would have been much more addictive. Instead, this story does not seem to move us or charm us. I feel the director was so dazzled by the court dresses, wigs and goldsmiths that he forgot to really demand more from his staff.Hillary Swank does everything she can to save the movie and her character, and I was assured that her talent helped a lot to improve the film. Equally good was the work of Jonathan Pryce in the role of a libidinous and corrupt cardinal. Joely Richardson is very beautiful and has made a Marie Antoinette satisfactory, but does not have much time or space to shine. More striking was Christopher Walken, in the character of a con man, or Simon Baker, who gave life to Rétaux de Vilette, a courtier. Unfortunately, without an engaging plot, these efforts were not enough to take from me the impression that this film is essentially "fireworks" (very beautiful, but also very void).

for costumes, for the admirable work of Adrien Brody and Jonathan Pryce, for the effort of Hillary Swank to be credible in a role who is not real comfortable for her, for a lovely Marie Antoinette by Joely Richardson, for the decent way for present a legend in attractive manner. film of costumes and atmosphere, remembering Dumas more than the spirit of reign of Louis XVI, it is a beautiful film. and this is enough.

From what I've read, many facts were altered from the story of the real Countess Jeanne de Valois. But I'm not here to quibble over Hollywood's history of messing with facts. I'm here to praise or condemn this film as entertainment, and while I choose not the highest of praise, I do indeed praise it. This costume drama is an absolutely delightful dangerous liaison of revenge, set in the very same era of "Les Liaisons Dangerous", this is the story of another calculating female who seeks to regain what was stolen from her family, and that's merely the estate she was brought up in, not the throne taken away by the Bourbon dynasty. I question only lightly the decision to cast two time Academy Award winning actress Hilary Swank in the role of the devious social climbing countess, but once I got used to her, I forgot the fact that she seemed far two modern at first to be part of 18th Century France, taking place just as the peasants began plotting a little something called a revolution.Like "Dangerous Liasons", this is often funny, using sly humor to grab the audience and bring them in. Swank has lost all efforts to become part of queen Marie Antoinette's court, so she turns to disfavored cardinal Jonathan Pryce to fool him into a conspiracy. A rather dark souled count (Christopher Walken) provides additional underhanded support, mentioned as being a part of the Illuminati. Joely Richardson doesn't always come off as commanding as Marie Antoinette but her role isn't written to be very layered, either. Classical music, both sweet and sinister, aides Swank in achieving her goal, but with the inclusion of a lavish diamond necklace into the plot and angered masses preparing for attack, it's running neck and neck as to who will end up with the necklace and who will find themselves facing a darker conclusion ironically involving their neck.The real Countess Jeanette was presumably less sympathetic than as represented by Swank here, but so what. Everything about this film just strikes a cord with me as history and fiction mix together as dirt and blood would be on the staircase of the guillotine. Bringing back memories of "Dangerous Liasons", "Amadeus", various films about the lives of Marie Antoinette, Madame Du Barry, Cardinal Richileu and fictional characters created by Charles Dickens flowed through my memory. This might not be a perfect history lesson, but as dramatic license takes its right, so does this film to make its narrative riveting and unforgettable. The conclusion does tend to drag with its "whatever became of...." narrative, and by the time they got to Swank, I said to myself, "Well, it's about time!"

Hilary Swank stars as the 18th century French countess who, having been stripped by the crown, schemes her revenge by obtaining a necklace worth millions.The only reason I watched this film was because I'm a fan of Swank. I've seen her in several films and I am occasionally impressed by her work, although I regret to say I was much less than impressed in this one. Christopher Walken is another favorite of mine, but his work here, I felt was overpowered by Swank's rather lacking performance, and I really never DID care for Adrien Brody.I'm not an expert of the time, and I know this film is based on factual events, the only part of this particular time in history is Marie Antoinette's part in it..."Let them eat cake." So, hence, I really don't feel right on commenting on the events, themselves. The part that stood out in my mind, though, was that all the actors in this film gave more of an English accent, than they did a French one...or was I just imagining that? 3 out of 10 stars.