MovieChat Forums > Marie Antoinette (2006) Discussion > Another film butchered by the music.

Another film butchered by the music.

posted 15 years ago by FrauMachina
60 replies | jump to latest

Apart from drawn out dull scenes without substance, what truly destroyed this movie for me was the music; it could NOT have been more wrong. I expect a period piece to contain the music of that particular period to set the mood for the story. Not some pop/rock nonsense from modern times. Is it so difficult to understand that it just doesn't fit? It is embarrassing.

I have not been this annoyed since 'A Knight's Tale' (which, by the way, was a much better movie than Marie Antoinette), where the setting is 14th or 15th century England, but throughout we are hearing rock tunes such as Queen's 'We Will Rock You' and AC/DC's 'You Shook Me All Night Long'.

In addition to this horrendously ill-fitted soundtrack, there are medley scenes of Marie Antoinette and her girlfriends shopping for clothing and food, the likes of which you can see in just about any run of the mill teenage bubblegum comedy/drama. And that is exactly where I felt this movie fell at that point.

Next, are we going to see a film of Queen Victoria set to Beyonce bloody Knowles?
Please, if there are more of this sort out there, please warn me first and spare me the pain. lol

[–] fashionquote 15 years ago

Certainly not as bad as the music in Juno.

[–] FrauMachina 15 years ago

I haven't seen that one. What was it about the music?

[–] sokaliie 12 years ago

Wow really?? I actually loved Juno's soundtrack. Sure the songs are kind of weird but I thought it went well because of Juno's personality lol.

[–] secondyousleep 15 years ago

If you're looking for a historical piece, that is a wrong movie to watch. And it's well known for it. Obviously, you should've done some research first.

Sofia Coppola is known for her eccentricity and this movie is mostly meant as an art/experimental movie.

I'm sure the music isn't the only thing you notice are from modern time. Throughout the movie, even from the very beginning, we can see hints of symbolic themes(quotes, sneakers on the floor, lightbulbs etc) that points out that this is a movie about teenagers and the self esteem issues of teenagers, not about queens or the french revolution. It's known as a line blurred between the historical ambiance and the actual upbringing of today's high society.

The movie is suppose to be fun and modern. Hence, with that in mind, I thought the soundtrack fits perfectly.

[–] FrauMachina 15 years ago

So I painfully discovered. In any case I think it failed, 'experimental' or not. I would have actually liked it if the music was appropriate because everything else in this movie was set to that particular era (there was no blurred lines here), and so the music just seems random. Coppola could have achieved that modern/historical merge with different modern music, if music was the only way that she needed to be experimental.

[–] vaporize 15 years ago

No blurred lines? There are a pair of lavender All-Star Converses in full view. I think it was Coppola's way of saying, "if you hadn't realized up until this point, this film was not meant to be historically accurate." You may dislike her motives for creating something so unconventional, but the music was absolutely appropriate for what she was trying to accomplish as mentioned by the previous poster.

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Let's go to the beach tonight
with a bottle of wine

[–] FrauMachina 15 years ago

Oh. I did not catch that detail. My apologies.
However, I did not see the point in that since the film would have worked just as well (or better) without the attempt to fuse it with modern times. An attempt that, in my opinion, got completely lost in the pompousness of extravagant silks and decadent wigs. There is a lot of modern music to choose from, so the soundtrack still kills it for me. It is a shame though, because it had some great scenes and quite a bit of humour. Just a matter of taste, I guess. :)

[–] vaporize 15 years ago

I can see why the music might be criticized considering 80s pop isn't for everyone. And I think the whole point of the film was to show how much MA spent on personal indulgences. She was not fit to be a queen in the sense that she was a naive young girl born in an extremely privileged background without a sense of politics. Her only purpose was to marry someone to secure political ties and to produce an heir. Coppola tries to draw a parallel between MA with a modern day socialite. They often live in their own little bubble where they aren't exposed to the struggles of the less privileged. It's unfortunate that this film gets marketed as a period piece when it's so unconventional.

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Let's go to the beach tonight
with a bottle of wine

[–] FrauMachina 15 years ago

Certainly, but I thought Coppola completely missed the mark on this one. Why use such a known historical figure and not expect the audience to expect a period piece? (Are we supposed to read up on a director's experimental vision before we go see a movie nowadays?) If she wanted to make that social commentary; why not take it further? A shoe and a bit of teenpop just isn't enough in my book.

Besides, I think that people are able to draw parallels to contemporary times and their own lives even if it would have been a pure period piece.

[–] uberhawk906 15 years ago

FrauMachina is right. This movie is *beep* garbage. I want my time back!

-Chinese Pride-

[–] vaporize 15 years ago

Thanks for the convincing argument

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Let's go to the beach tonight
with a bottle of wine

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] vaporize 15 years ago

Coppola did not make this film to appease to the period piece lovers. Artists do not create art to be admired by the public; they create art to express themselves. Coppola made this film because she wanted to offer a different perspective in understanding the life of Marie Antoinette. It doesn't matter what the audience expects or wants from Coppola.

why not take it further?

But you see, Coppola did take it pretty far. Did you not notice the way the actors spoke? They all used present day vernacular and their mannerisms were very much contemporary. I believe Roger Ebert said it the best: "Many characters in historical films seem somehow aware that they are living in the past. Marie seems to think she is a teenager living in the present, which of course she is -- and the contemporary pop references invite the audience to share her present with ours."

I think that people are able to draw parallels to contemporary times and their own lives even if it would have been a pure period piece.

There's no reason why Coppola needs to be forced to adhere to such strict guidelines. As a director, she is free to do as she pleases so long as she accomplishes whatever it is she sets out to do. You think she failed. I think she succeeded.

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Let's go to the beach tonight
with a bottle of wine

[–] SataiDelen 15 years ago

Look, I know nothing about directors. I don't claim to. Further, I would never do research on a director when considering going to see a film. Thank gods that I never paid money to see this piece of garbage in the theater. Am I a movie "purist?" Perhaps. I'm definitely old-fashioned for my age. This movie aired on T.V. and I happen to like Kirsten Dunst, and I am fascinated by history, and I was curious to know more about Marie Antoinette (next time I'll stick to books. I love to read, and I definitely would have enjoyed a book on the subject more). But this movie was just horrible. Granted, I didn't see any of the supposed modern items many of you are pointing out were in the movie. I did notice the modern language and was rather thrown by it, but figured it was kind of like Leonardo DiCrapio's (and no, that was not a mispelling) Romeo & Juliet, which was set in modern times with modern language, and I hated that too, but what made me finally unable to get past the bastardization of what I thought was a semi-period piece was the horrid soundtrack! I mean, come on! "I Want Candy?!" Good grief! I'm sorry, but while (to me) the sountrack from "A Knight's Tale was wonderfully done, and I absolutely love that movie and the soundtrack, this movie screwed up big time! What a waste of time and effort!

Yes, art is about expressing an artist's views and ideas, but frankly, some art just should never see the light of day and should remain forever in the artist's mind. This was one of them!

[–] icansmellalie 15 years ago

Actually, genius, the Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio was done in Elizabethan iambic pentameter.

[–] vaporize 14 years ago

You're not old fashioned. You just don't have seasoned taste. That's okay though.

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Let's go to the beach tonight
with a bottle of wine

[–] ilahilda 12 years ago

I felt the music was out of place too, classical would been better.

[–] creaturefeeture 15 years ago

Completely agree with vaporize.

Voting Hist.http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=26598711

[–] davidtraversa-1 13 years ago

David Traversa. Vaporize: I have a great deal of fun reading the different points of view about this film, my only contribution would be that I don't find this picture unconventional AT ALL. It's the most CONVENTIONAL period movie ever imagined!!! Look at the utmost care employed in research for EVERYTHING, clothes, shoes, wigs, hairstyles, food, carriages, etc. All the Court manners, even the bed sheets! the musical instruments...
I didn't see any contemporary teenager, not even in the Court Ballroom.

And this Coppola's thesis comparing contemporary teenager crisis with an adolescent Queen... well, a bit forced ain't it? (Recherché?).

But I enjoyed very much those comments from people that feel sooo COOL because they read this Coppola's thesis someplace and feel so superior to those uncouth peasant viewers that saw the movie without previous --de rigueur-- information...

[–] davidtraversa-1 13 years ago

David Traversa. Secondyousleep: Your explanation makes a great deal of sense. Now, IF before going to see a movie I have FIRST TO READ the director's explanation about his/her intentions on some Internet Web Site otherwise I'll be totally confused... that movie, I'm sorry to tell you, is a BAD MOVIE.

A movie should be understood from the beginning without ANY outside explanation; just consider this movie being watched by people fifty years from now: Will Ms. Coppola be there to give them a talk about her ideas for this movie, to show how teenagers of the XXI Century where behaving within the Versailles background? Let's say... Texas--Versailles, Chicago--Versailles, Los Angeles--Versailles... it doesnt' make much sense, don't you agree?

For Ms. Coppola's thesis (according to your explanation about contemporary teenagers, etc.) it could have been absolutely gorgeous to use the runway of a contemporary designer's showcase, and using the gorgeous models and their advanced designers clothes as the media to develop that contemporary desire to explore contemporary Angst among teenagers.

[–] Ghosthunter123424 11 years ago

She tried to make a period film with contemporary music to draw younger people since it worked with Plunkett & McClean which she watched and stole the idea from.

[–] racegal15 11 years ago

Hm, It's listed as 'Biography/Drama/History' and you're telling me it's WELL KNOWN for NOT being a biographical historical drama? How is anyone supposed to know any such thing? It should be listed under comedy and nothing else!

[–] TheNumberFive 15 years ago

Ryan's Daughter is a perfect example of the wrong music. Set in Ireland, the soundtrack sounded like a french carnival. Though that movie's story was much better than this tripe. Couldn't someone in "Hollywood" tell this story according to the history books? And if so, please, use an Austrian actress who is fluent in french, as was Marie, the last queen of France.

[–] rainny_smith 15 years ago

you know maybe she wanted to think outisde the box . I myself liked the music i think it went well with the scenes . sure the period music would had been nice but the modern songs did their jobs well . and the senes where they want shopping where awsome (maybe a lil cliche but not bad) sure you can have your opinion and heres my opionion of you a movie snob who doesent have a open mind so have a nice day ..... and why would you hate on beyonce i think i said all i needed to say have a nice day (yes i know that there are grammar mistakes )

[–] klint_eastwood 15 years ago

Sofia picks the best music..ur just an idiot

[–] livingdead1414 15 years ago

The music was actually one of the best things about the film. Free your mind a little.

[–] FrauMachina 15 years ago

Nothing to do with a free mind. I just thought it was cruelly ill-fitted. ;)

[–] artemis0302 15 years ago

My god, so much controversy and backlash over this movie, even now- and here I am thinking we were in the 21st Century, and even then, didn't the Pop Art revolution happen in the 1960s? Given, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, so I won't be silly and attack anyone for not liking this movie, like some of the other people on this thread have done. Besides, this is a very distinct kind of film that isn't for everyone.

I will say that the film is exactly that though- Pop Art. To me, Sophia Coppola created something so visually stunning and pleasing to the ears, and she did the exact opposite of what people wanted, even expected, her to do. The film is a work of art, almost Warholian in it's approach; it doesn't take itself too seriously, it's very iconoclastic, in fact I believe Sundance Channel showed this recently under its Iconoclastic Film block it does every Saturday. It's a rejection of standards and guidelines, as evidenced by the banter on these boards.

But that's why I love it! It's totally unexpected- why would I want to watch another historical period drama? I don't have anything against them outright, I actually really enjoy films like Elizabeth: The Golden Age, but if this was just like all the other films in its genre, it wouldn't have been so great (it also wouldn't have been as funny- admittedly, there's a certain contemporary comedy here, which could NOT have been done had it been a traditional period piece). Sophia took a woman in history who has by default been portrayed negatively, and told her story HER own way. This kind of creative and artistic freedom and abandon is rare, especially in the mainstream. I suppose it all really boils down to personal preference. It's like a work of art: one person can look at it and think its totally worthless and meaningless, and the next can look at it and think its the most brilliant thing they've ever seen.

As a side note, despite the style over substance going on here, I did feel an emotional connection to Kirsten Dunst's Marie Antoinette. She really just seemed like a normal teenage girl, only in the wrong place at the wrong time (particularly in the 1700s!). And not only does the music fit this perspective well, but I personally love it, I'm listening to the soundtrack as I'm typing this. ^____^

[–] deem714 14 years ago

The purpose of this movie was to show that Marie Antoinette lived back then how rock stars lived now... hence the rock music.

Many people don't know that, just as they don't know that Marie Antoinette never said "let them eat cake" nor did they not know that Louis the 14 might have had a sexual dysfunction ailment, possibly Phimosis.

You're laborers, you're supposed to be laboring! That's what you get for not having an education!!

[–] Moonlighty 14 years ago

You don't even know who she was married to. Learn the difference between the numbers 16 and 14 before you try to make yourself seem cool with your "not many people know what I know."

Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, looking through your stuff

[–] deem714 14 years ago

Moonlighty... whom was your post aimed toward?

If it was me than I assure you that I do know who Marie Antoinette was married to -- Louis Auguste, Dauphin to France, soon to be Louis the 16.

Not only do I know the difference between the the NUMBERS 16 and 14, I also know the difference between the LOUIS 16 and 14.

14 was Louis Dieudonné, son of Louis 13. He reigned from May 14, 1643 to September 1, 1715.
15 was Louis le Grande Dauphin, Great-Grandson of Louis 14. He reigned from September 1, 17115 to May 10, 1774.
16 was Louis Auguste, Grandson of Louis 15. He reigned from May 10, 1774 to September 21, 1792.

BTW, anyone can know anything. All they have to do is google it.

You're laborers, you're supposed to be laboring! That's what you get for not having an education!!

[–] lexiever-1 14 years ago

Well that's your opinion. You like A Knights Tale better because you liked the music better but didn't like this because you found the music crappy? who gives a damn about what you think is good music and what's not lol.

I though the music fit with the film and made it more appealing. It's okay you didn't like the movie I understand but your point for not liking it doesn't make sense to me. You hated the shopping??

Lonely Chicago pie

[–] FrauMachina 14 years ago

This is a forum of opinions, honey. Deal with it.

You post your opinions here too. And do you think I give a damn? lol

[–] xXRandomnessXx 14 years ago

While your oppinion seem a little silly since Sofia intentionally made the movie seem unrealistic but modern in a certain way.

I kind of agreed with the choice of music however I knew this film was not trying to recreate history as the teaser trailer shows how outragous it was. It's still good & I am willingly to actually buy it on DVD now. :)

Ps. just putting it out there, Fensen is a hottie. ;)

[–] FrauMachina 14 years ago

Just because she attempted it, doesn't mean that she didn't fail. ;)

It's not a bad movie though, I never said that.

[–] EvilCensor 14 years ago

The original poster is in entitled to his/her opinion.

With regards this movie being considered experimental - fantastic, hope she had fun - someone is bound to think it relevant to something or other, if it truly was aimed at those poor teenagers out their struggling with *issues* why use music from the 80's?

As a cinematic experience this film is weak and before the neo-intellectuals start their long-winded interpretations I don't care, don't over-analyze everything.. sometimes things should be taken on face value.

The music often grates, numerous scenes feel like a two week trip to Wal-Mart, the ending abrupt.

All in all watchable once in my opinion.

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Defer not unto the evening, that which the morning may accomplish.

[–] tnikkane 14 years ago

I didn't mind the modern pop-music, that obviously was intentional and I think it worked well. But the music that was SUPPOSED to be "periodical" was too old! It sounded all from Baroque period and although Mozart was mentioned in the movie, his music was never actually heard.

This was the period of Classicism, not Baroque!LOL

[–] ilovetati 14 years ago

Versaille was a Baroque palace, though, which I believe inspired the music which was supposed to enhance the atmosphere of the place itself.

Everybody wants to be found.

[–] Marisa_Gabriella 14 years ago

The Strokes, Siouxshee and the Banshees and New Order are pop rock nonsense? lol.

My thoughts are misguided and a little naive.