calvinnme If there's only one performance in Norma Shearer's career that should be seen, for my money it's in the title role of Marie Antoinette, MGM's extraordinarily lavish costume depiction of the legendary figure of French history.The film is a model of the studio system when it spared no expense, with breath taking costumes and sets. Yes, the film goes on too long and not all of its performances are a success. For example, Tyrone Power has a particularly weakly written character to play, one actually based on history, but, for the most part, this films works.Norma is very impressive in her early scenes as a young innocent arriving at the French court, expecting her yet unseen betrothed to be a prince charming but getting, at first glance, and at first conversation for that matter, a frog. She gradually learns the ways and politics of the court of France and experiences a gradual conversion over to a life of frivolity.But Shearer's finest moments in the film are those that depict her character's downfall with the French Revolution. Shearer plays the scenes with a dignity and strength of character that are impressive before, inevitably, her character starts to break down under the strain.The most heart breaking scene in the film is the scene in the prison cell in which members of the Revolution suddenly appear to take the former queen's children away from her. Shearer is no longer a proud queen as she plays a woman who will fight like a wildcat to keep her children with her.Having said all this about Shearer, I think that the most memorable performance in the film comes from Robert Morley as Louis XVI, a simple minded man derided by aristocratic members of the French court, but, in the final analysis, a good man who displays dignity and courage when he faces the end.

atlasmb The camera frames such wonderful images that the viewer would be excused for seeing the first half of this film as merely superficial, but it is a wonderful portrayal of a young woman with dreams and aspirations who finds herself in circumstances that thwart her every desire and intention. The film opens with news that Marie of Austria (Norma Shearer) is to be wed to the French Dauphin, heir to the crown. When she meets Louis (Robert Morley), he is a backward, anti-social recluse. She is received by the French court as an interloper and an inconsequential nuisance. Her enthusiasm for life carries her through her trials in court and she eventually triumphs in spirit, if not in the realities of her life.The film's second half tells the dramatic story of the French revolution, when "the people"--a senseless mob--overturn the monarchy."Marie Antoinette" is blessed with the eye of an artful director, beautiful costumes, an intelligent script, and striking performances, especially by Norma Shearer and Robert Morley.Tyrone Power portrays Count Axel de Fersen of Sweden--a much smaller role, but the anchor to the film's love story. Still, this is a tragic story despite its triumphs. History demands that Marie pay for her sins, though they be sins of inheritance or sins of statecraft.One can only imagine what the film might have been if it had been filmed in color; that is its only shortcoming. Still, its a heartbreaking story of love and the machinations of history, as seen through the eyes of a beautiful woman.

MissSimonetta Norma Shearer was at her best during the silent era and the pre-code period between 1929 and 1934. Once the Hays Code rolled in, she was stuck with what have been described as "queenly roles" in rather stuffy period pictures like Romeo and Juliet (1936) and this film, Marie Antoinette (1938). Despite its reputation, this is not a bad movie, just a rather standard Hollywood biopic.Shearer does well as the queen and undergoes the transformation from innocent teenage bride to weary tragic queen beautifully. Tyrone Power is handsome and solid, but doesn't get to do much as the queen's lover. The rest of the cast is good, but not exceptional.The sets and costumes are breathtaking. It's a shame this was not filmed in Technicolor as was planned. The ornate settings beg for it.All in all, not bad, but nothing special.

Maciste_Brother MARIE ANTOINETTE is an amazingly lush production. The details on screen is at times staggering. The production team is to be credited for such an eye filling spectacle. With that said, the film doesn't really work. The script is badly conceived and its main star is as dull as a star can be.First the script: it spends a lot of time on Marie Antoinette and very little time on why or how the revolution started. Little histrionic moments are blown up to gargantuan proportions and yet important events about her or the French Revolution are all but forgotten. The script is totally ill-conceived and no amount of great direction or production values can overcome this major weakness. Three quarters of the film revolves around MA and then suddenly, there's a revolution is in full swing. There's no smooth transition between the main storyline from MA to the French Revolution, which just happens almost out of nowhere. The switch in storyline is abrupt and jarring.The second major liability is its star: Norma Shearer. Shearer is an actress of limited range and after watching her for almost three hours, her limited range became increasingly obvious with each passing minute. Whether she's getting married or when she falls in love with handsome Tyrone Power or when the peasants storm the Château, Shearer's expression hardly changes. As Marie Antoinette and her family try to escape the tumult, the stagecoach they're escaping in is eventually stopped by an angry crowd. The crowd is overwhelming and the situation is wrought with tension. So how does Norma react when the stage coach is stopped? She bites her lip.But even actors of limited range can get away with this problem when they have star power or screen presence. Sadly, Norma has little or no star power. This is my first film with Norma Shearer and it's probably going to be my last. Shearer has zero star quality. She is as bland as can be. It also doesn't help that she's way too old to play the part. But again, this wouldn't have been a problem if she had some sort of screen presence.The odd part of this spectacular film is that it's a feast for the eyes and in the middle of all of it is this bland, boring presence we have to watch for nearly three hours. Watching Norma Shearer in MARIE ANTOINETTE is like being handed a plate of tofu amidst a table filled with every conceivable meal imaginable. Everything, and I mean everything, including Robert Morley, outshines her. I give 10 stars for the production values and excellent supporting cast. If you watch MARIE ANTOINETTE for the sets and costumes, you won't be disappointed. Just don't expect some compelling performance from its star.