The Affair of the Necklace (2001)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

From my favorite movies..

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

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.

This movie was so good I had to watch it again! Hilary Swank, as always, plays her character incredibly well.What I liked most about the movie (besides the intriguing plot, humor, action and mystery.. yes they are all there!) was that the characters were real. There was no pretense that people back then were more proper than they are today; they had the same desires, used what they had, and made the same mistakes, just in a different setting.Fans of Christopher Walken will be pleased to know that he has as unique a role as always, adding his special charm to the film where needed.There are also some great outtakes on the special features, which is also unusual but very refreshing for a period drama.I hope you rent it and enjoy it as much as I did!

When I first sat down to watch this movie, I thought it was positively brilliant. Hillary Swank is great in everything she does...hell, the whole cast did a bang up job! But mostly I liked it because I thought it was the truth. After all it matched all I had learned in high school.Then I found out what a big lie it all was.This whole 'Affair' was completely romanticized and history rewritten to show the world yet again how _terrible_ the Monarchy was. But since I'm armed with new information, I might as well inform everyone who thinks the same way I thought of some key facts.Fact 1: The Monarchy NEVER killed Jeanne's father. Her parents were LONG dead before this whole affair even took place. Her rage at the Monarchy stemmed from the pension she was suppose to receive from being a blood royal. Her rage at Marie stemmed her apathy, yes, but because she did not really sympathize with Jeanne's plight.Fact 2: Jeanne was not born a noble. True, she was illegitimately descended from royalty but all her nobility ties and titles came from her marriage to Nicolas. In fact, she was quite well off in her marriage, but that didn't stop her from sleeping around with the likes of both the Cardinal and Rétaux.Fact 3: Buying the necklace was all the CARDINAL'S idea. But Jeanne went along with it readily, but her greed got in the way. She ran to _sell_ the diamonds off the necklace in London and keep the profits for herself.Knowing what I know now, I'm infuriated at this movie not only for falsifying history but trying to tell us this is exactly what happened. Marie Antoinette was the true victim in all this (something Joely Richardson tried to convey in her performance) and Jeanne was exactly what the Monarchy said she was; a petty whorish thief. There was no honor in what those people did, they all had their own selfish reasons. I'm just sad with the pile of historical information we have at our disposal no one seems to want to use it.

"The Affair of the Necklace" is an interesting attempt to explain the "Diamond Necklace Scandal" that brought about the French Revolution and the downfall of the French monarchy in the late 18th century.Conspirators, who want to turn public opinion against Queen Marie Antoinette,convince jewelers to design an especially beautiful necklace to gain the queen's favor. The schemers claim to represent the queen who, they propose, will find the piece irresistible and will pay handsomely for it. The jewelers are flattered by the supposed offer and believe they will prosper from having the queen as a customer.To further the plot, the conspirators have a millineress (hat-maker), who resembles the queen, pose as Marie Antoinette and meet with the jewelers in the Tuileries Gardens at night. The jewelers are duped into thinking they have gained royal favor, and they set about to please their queen.When Marie Antoinette is presented with the finished necklace at the palace, she knows nothing of the agreement and refuses to pay. The French public believes the necklace is one more extravagance in which the queen has indulged while her subjects suffer in want and poverty. The public outcry leads to the overthrow of the French monarchy and government and the executions of the king and queen.An interesting sideline is that "The Glory of the Lord" from Handel's "Messiah" and "Hedge Roses," a concert song by Franz Schubert, are played as background music when Adrien Brody appears in a park scene in the film. The music is historically accurate, as both pieces were written in the earlier part of the 18th century.The plot is complex and difficult to follow in the first viewing, so that I recommend seeing it again and again.