MOVIE REVIEW – Johnny Depp and Maïwenn tell a basically simple enough love story, but cleverly and with the right emotional chord, of a real-life 18th century love story starring King Louis XV of France and Jeanne du Barry, a young woman who goes from Parisian prostitute to courtesan to the king’s personal mistress and then lover. Although Jeanne du Barry’s basically simple script may not be enough to convince the average moviegoer to sit through the film, fans of period romances and historical films that are less concerned with serious events will be entertained.

 

 

Biographical films can provide a new perspective on the lives and works of well-known celebrities, while also introducing audiences to lesser-known historical figures. This is the case with Maïwenn’s “Jeanne du Barry,” a period romance inspired by the true story of the famous French woman whose charms made her the favorite mistress of King Louis XV in the 18th century. Although at first glance Maïwenn’s primary aim seems to be a simplistic and idealized portrayal of the relationship between courtesan and king, Jeanne du Barry is nevertheless a commendable film that conveys a positive message about the position of women in a male-dominated world, while at the same time being an entertaining and intelligent romantic film.

 

 

The art of seduction

 

The film “Jeanne du Barry”, starring Maïwenn herself, explores Jeanne du Barry’s upbringing and the unexpected events that led her to become highly literate at a time when ordinary people rarely acquired the ability to read. Jeanne’s passion for books leads her to discover erotic stories, from which she learns how to use her body to get what she wants from men. Of course, she never dreams that the man in question will turn out to be King Louis XV, played by Johnny Depp, and that his seduction will bring him to court.

Casting a non-French actor to play a French king in a big-budget production may seem an odd choice, but Depp gives a surprisingly convincing performance. Everyday French speakers may notice Depp’s accent, but his command of the language is broad enough to make him believable in the role, which is a welcome surprise. The rigid structure of the French monarchy forces the king to impose his will with few words and his mere presence. Depp doesn’t get many opportunities to show his royal power, but in the few scenes he does, he brings the character to life brilliantly.

 

 

Was this courtly love?

 

Unfortunately, the romantic segment of “Jeanne du Barry” lacks excitement because Depp and Maïwenn lack the chemistry that would be essential to make it truly captivating. In fact, they are a couple who must constantly adapt their love to the social expectations of the French court, which means that every tender or passionate gesture is also a performance, staged to either surprise or appease the many curious gazes of the Château of Versailles. But for “Jeanne du Barry” to truly stand up as a period romance, it would have to be less cool about the supposedly passionate relationship between the two protagonists.

In this respect, Maïwenn seems unconvincing as a woman who uses her body as a weapon, and in the first act of “Jeanne du Barry” it is difficult to understand why so many men lose their minds in the presence of the courtesan. However, once the story begins to focus exclusively on Jeanne’s relationship with the king, Maïwenn becomes an endearing character whose charm holds the entire movie together.

 

 

A prostitute who dares to be herself at the French court

 

“Joan of Arc” is more powerful when it pokes fun at the grotesque costumes of the French court, which were created to preserve the status quo and the power of the wealthy classes. As a result, the very presence of a woman at court is a scandal. Nevertheless, Jeanne devotes all her energy to upsetting the strict order of the palace and slowly convinces the king to question the court’s ideas of grace and duty. Joan of Arc” is not nearly as rebellious as it should be, and its anti-monarchy message is often overshadowed by the movie’s ambition to show the glory and wealth of the kingdom. Still, it’s a pleasure to watch Maïwenn’s character, Jeanne, make her way in Versailles by daring to be herself, smuggling a forgotten joy into the king’s life.

“Jeanne du Barry” also deserves praise for its positive portrayal of prostitutes. Historical romances usually focus on relationships between members of the court, where only deep love can lead to sexual escapades. In contrast, “Jeanne du Barry” spends much of its time showing that sex workers are still masters of their bodies and can be much more than sexual objects for men’s pleasure. Jeanne herself, for example, finds satisfaction as a courtesan and is happy to persuade men to do what she wants in exchange for a few hours of companionship.

It’s refreshing to see a movie, especially a period biopic, that deals with the subject without over-objectifying sex workers and reducing them to helpless victims unable to control their fate. As with its supposedly rebellious message, “Jeanne du Barry” is not as rebellious as it could be, but the effort to add such nuance to a period romance is admirable.

 

 

Worth sitting through if you like romantic period films

 

The simple script of “Jeanne du Barry” may not convince the average moviegoer to spend two hours at the French court. But fans of period romance will be well served by a love story that centers on a sex worker. And while Maïwenn and Depp may not be the hottest, most sensual couple in contemporary biopics, “Jeanne du Barry” is still entertaining enough to be worth the two hours in the theater.

-BadSector-