Ciel Rouge

“To find out that Judi Dench was in the cast…! Then you feel blessed just to be sitting in the green room talking. There’s gold dust on her, and you hope that it might fall onto you as she passes by. I cherished our scenes together.”

aha. gold dust. really? I knew there was a reason why I’ve always liked you Michael Fassbender…

Congrats to the happy couple! Kate’s dress was lovely, and they do make a stunning couple :)

On that note: So was anyone else kind of fascinated by Princess Beatrice’s hat?

                                       Princess Eugenie (left) and Princess Beatrice (right)

These comments I came across about her hat amused me:

J Crowley: Pretty sure that thing’s a Stargate.

shirley zager: She looks like a raccoon that mated with an octopus.

EC Hudson: It wasn’t any more ridiculous that anyone else’s hat - and it could double as a fun wedding reception game (toss a canape thru the loop).

John: I am currently at the eye doctor hoping he can restore my sight since I was blinded by Beatrice’s bloody hat !!!!

lynn Roberts: Do they live in a house without mirrors?

Maree Giles: I’m surprised no one has been brave enough to admit that Princess Eugenie’s hat resembled the antlers of a deformed reindeer. The effect of all that black eye make-up on those enormous eyes plus the antlers on her head made her look as though she was the target of a Highland hunter.

Rick Baker: Those Brits like them some crazy hats, which actually is kind of unique and cool but that thing looks like the hood ornament on Santa’s sleigh.

Actually, this wedding was kinda chock full of pretty awesome looking hats:

     Gaspard Ulliel as the Duke de Guise and Melaine Thierry as the Princess of Montpensier

Saw a screening of “The Princess of Montpensier” (La Princesse de Montpensier) yesterday and was thoroughly impressed by it. I’m a sucker for period dramas, and while I haven’t seen that many french period dramas, I think the director Bertrand Tavernier did a superb job here. 

Taking place against the backdrop of the Wars of Religion between the French Catholics and Protestant Huguenots in the 16th century, the Princess of Montpensier focuses on the story of a young woman named Marie de Mezieres who is forced into marriage with the Prince of Montpensier, (Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet) while still passinately in love with another man, the Duke de Guise. (Gasaprd Ulliel) Though, the Prince and Duke aren’t only Marie’s suitors, as the Count of Chabannes (Lambert Wilson) and the Duke d’Anjou (Raphael Personnaz) also fall in love with her.

The opening scene of the movie illustrates the horrors of war, with dying and dead men on a battlefield, and ends with the Count of Chabannes plunging a sword in the belly of a pregnant woman during a skirmish in a barn. Chabannes, once realizing what he has done sinks to his knees, at a loss of words, as he desperately tries to wipe away from the blood from his sword. This event is enough for Chabannes to denounce the religious war, and he soon deserts his military post. While the love story between Marie and her suitors is supposed to be the central focus of the movie, Tavernier is quick to remind us of the bloody horrors of war.

And of course, one can’t forget some good ‘ol political intrigue including selfish schemes and power ploys, scandals and court gossip, bitter rivalries, and the complexities of dynastic and power relationships during 16th century France.

Melanie Thierry did a solid job as Marie with her wide range of facial expressions, alternating from cold fury, silent defiance, vulnerability, resolute strength, quiet acceptance, and masked aloofness. But there were times where I just wanted something more for Thierry, like I said although she did a solid job, I felt she was a little outshined by her co-stars. Gaspard Ulliel also well in his portrayal of the rakish, hot-headed, and impulsive Duke de Guise, while Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet was perfect in the role of the jealous husband of Marie. Raphael Personnaz was also perfect in his role as the lighthearted yet silently calculating Duke d’Anjou, whose role required just the right balance of humor and seriousness.

But I was blown away by Lambert Wilson’s portrayal of the Count of Chabannes, who I thought was one of the few genuinely good people in the film. Wilson really made you feel for the likable, kind, and honorable Chabannes throughout a variety of events in the film ranging from his denunciation of the righteousness of religious war, his role as both an observer and participant in the various political intrigues and power plays that unfold, and his conflicting but genuine feelings for Marie. Out of all of Marie’s suitors, you really get the feeling that Chabannes  was the one that cared the most about her happiness and welfare.  Tavernier seemed to devote so much time to Chabannes that I thought they should have just renamed the film to “The Count of Chabannes” instead ;)

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this film - the music, costumes, setting, acting, rich drama, and unconventional but emotionally realistic love story were all top notch and spot on with great period dramas. The movie leaves on a sad, but quietly poignant note as Marie declares that “as the Count withdraw from the war, I withdraw from love.” Through the entire film I kept telling myself “yes, this is exactly what a high-quality period drama should be like,” and Tavernier really entralls and keeps your attention with his wonderfully vibrant, gripping, multi-layered storytelling with hints of feminist and religious themes, political intrigue and high drama. 

                                      Plus look how awesome this poster is :D