Jeanne du Barry directed by Maiwenn and starring herself and Johnny Depp, takes us back to the France of Louis XV. This time around it follows the story of a young woman who rose to the highest echelon of the nobility of the time. Pacts, passion, scandals… all the necessary ingredients for a good story set in the French 18th century and the famous court of Versailles.
“Jeanne Du Barry” brings Johnny Deep back to the screen, all personal judgments aside, and in this historical drama, which is starred, written, and directed by Maïwenn.
If you don’t like it, you know who to blame.
It’s one of those grandiose films that showcase elaborate costumes and the splendor of a particular era. Does it achieve what it aims for? Does it engross us as viewers? To a certain extent, although it would have been nice if it had also tried to entertain us beyond just depicting the time period.
Movie Review
Do you remember Barry Lyndon? Perhaps Kubrick’s least celebrated film in which Kubrick himself seems less like his usual self. “Jeanne Du Barry” has a similar structure and intentions, and like that film, it hasn’t been well received by critics, who have labeled it as pompous, insipid, and many other adjectives commonly associated with these period dramas about the French aristocracy.
Maybe Versailles is too impressive, and these palace stories don’t lend themselves to truly interesting storytelling (they managed to do it in a 2018 film called “The Favourite”), or maybe they do, but we have to agree with the critics and say that “Jeanne Du Barry” doesn’t convince or entertain with its story, and it merely offers good aesthetics and a convincing historical portrayal of pre-revolutionary France.
Johnny Depp doesn’t help either; he’s not particularly brilliant in this part, and seems to be there solely to boost the film’s commercial appeal with his name, and speaking his French.
The story of the main couple dissipates; it simply doesn’t fully develop in a screenplay that also doesn’t work in a film that, beyond its aesthetics, doesn’t seem to want to tell a compelling story.
Our Opinion
A film that fails to stand out or transport us to the tragic love story it intends to portray, remaining on the surface of visually stunning landscapes and Versailles architecture.
The Star: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp has been one of the most iconic actors in the world for the past few decades. His career has spanned over 30 years, with roles ranging from Edward Scissorhands to Captain Jack Sparrow. From humble beginnings in Florida to superstardom, Depp has captivated audiences with his unique style of acting and amazing range. He has starred in countless blockbuster films and is considered one of the most versatile actors of all time. Read more
Movie Trailer
The Cast
Melvil Poupaud
Pascal Greggory
Ibrahim Yaffa
David Decraene
