Jeanne du Barry
Plot
In 18th-century France, a young woman named Jeanne Bécu, born out of wedlock to a poor seamstress, dares to defy convention and rise to power as the last official mistress of King Louis XV. From her early days as a charming courtesan, Jeanne du Barry's cunning wit, beauty, and audacity propel her upward through the ranks of French aristocracy. As she navigates the treacherous waters of royal court politics, Jeanne expertly manipulates those around her, using her charms to secure favor with influential figures. Her rise is not without its challenges, however, as she faces opposition from powerful women and scheming nobles who seek to undermine her influence. Despite these obstacles, Jeanne's determination and resilience serve her well, and she eventually becomes a favorite of the king himself. As their illicit affair deepens, Jeanne's star continues to rise, earning her the admiration and envy of those around her. But as with all things, Jeanne's meteoric ascent is not without its consequences. The king's marriage to Queen Marie Leszczyńska remains an obstacle to her true aspirations, leading to a series of dramatic events that threaten to upend her world. Amidst the intrigue and deception, Jeanne must confront the darker aspects of her own nature and the treacherous landscape she has created for herself. As the story unfolds, Jeanne's transformation from humble beginnings to royal mistress is a testament to her unwavering ambition and unshakeable determination. Yet, as the curtains close on this tumultuous tale, one cannot help but wonder: what lies ahead for this enigmatic figure, whose rise to power has been both breathtaking and devastating?
Reviews
Zoey
The grandpa next to me ejected out of his seat before the movie even ended, I'm dying of laughter, how bad must it be 🤦♀️ Yeah well, I can't even write a proper review... all I can say is, I'm crushing on the male butler!
Charles
Maïwenn is remarkably honest about her own life. With such courage, honesty, and genuine emotion, she boldly admits, even glorifies, that she's lived off "sugar daddies," slept her way to the top. For a moment, it's hard to tell if this is the arrogance and outrageous behavior allowed by a patriarchal world, or simply the director being honestly un-cunning. It's so rare for the audience to see such an honest female "confession" from this angle, an opportunity to understand their thoughts and feelings, which makes the film somewhat unique… After all, there are so many girls in the world from such beginnings, successfully sitting at Cannes...
Fiona
It's both hilarious and absurd. The wildly eccentric beginning surprisingly evolves into a heart-wrenching, epic tale of twilight romance. It feels like Maïwenn stumbled upon a script by Qiong Yao and fell head over heels in love, insisting on playing both the lead roles herself, ultimately merging Little Swallow and Ziwei into one.
Kamila
Saw <Jeanne du Barry> at Cinéma Le City on May 16, 2023 – almost simultaneously with the Cannes opening. Watched it with guilt and curiosity, and it turned out to be a cliché ridden piece of self-indulgent trash from the director. The film's overwhelming sense of greasy sleaze is nauseating, and even the real Versailles setting looks tacky. Maïwenn is indeed the perfect "straight ally" defending a woman's right to flirt, a match made in heaven with Depp.
