— Henry David Thoreau
Welcome to Versailles just at the start of the French Revolution. The eighteenth-century aristocracy is facing an end to their power and wealth. Sidonie (Lea Seydoux) lives in the servant's quarters at the grand palace and sleeps in a small room where she must constantly watch for rats. Her most prized possession is a clock.
Sidonie loves her job of selecting books and then reading aloud to Queen Marie Antoinette (Diane Kruger) who has earned the ire of the people with her unpredictable antics. This stunningly beautiful woman cherishes Sidonie's youthful energy and unalloyed devotion to her.
We sense the erotic powers of the Queen when she rubs some soothing rosewater on this adoring young woman's mosquito bites. Sidonie's eyes convey the pleasure she feels in this surprising gesture. But her eyes shift to fear when she learns that the Queen is number one on a long list of those who will lose their heads to the guillotine.
Sidonie travels up and down the corridors of Versailles as danger closes in around the besieged royalty. M. Moreau (Michel Robin), a seasoned veteran of French history and politics, keeps her posted on the latest developments as the Queen decides not to escape to Metz with the children and the King journeys to Paris and certain death. Sidonie's eyes become those of a voyeur as she is ordered to bring the Queen's lover Gabrielle de Polignac (Virgine Ledoyen) to her. She pulls the sheet back and stares at the naked body of this rival who has stolen Marie Antoinette's heart away from her.
Farewell, My Queen is an exquisite French costume drama directed by Benoit Jacquot based on a novel by Chantal Thomas. The art-house crowd will delight in the lavish clothing and settings. Of course, in the midst of all this wealth and splendor, cruel death and destruction await those who have prospered at the expense of the poor people who do not even have bread to sustain them.
It is the curious and loving eyes of Sidonie that centers the story and provides us with an overview of the early days of the French revolution. Lea Seydoux is an alluring and intriguing actress who gives a tour de force performance as the lower class beauty who has no idea what the Queen has in store for her. Diane Kruger is also impressive as the self-centered hedonist who dominates those around her.
Watch Sidonie's eyes as she gazes at the Queen, takes in the cowardice of the fleeing blue bloods, and then demonstrates her own special brand of courage under pressure. Then reflect upon the following: Henri Matisse said that to look at something as though you had never seen before it requires great courage.
Special features on the DVD include: on-set interviews; an interview with director Benoit Jacquot; and a trailer.
