April 30, 2024
FILM: JEANNE DU BARRY
DIRECTED BY: MAIWENN
STARRING: MAIWENN, JOHNNY DEPP, BENJAMIN LAVERNHE
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Right off the bat I have to mention the obvious: yes, this is the first significant “comeback” film for Johnny Depp since he was “cancelled” a few years back. The once mega star and three time Oscar-nominee has not gotten any plumb roles since. As such, when a new project appears and gets some international attention (it premiered at last year’s Cannes Film Festival) it is cause for a good look at where the actor has landed. For fans who like some of the big performances he gave in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, or films such as Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this is not Depp letting loose in the flamboyant manner that became his mark in the 2000s. Rather in Jeanne Du Barry Depp is much more low-key, performing in a style that is closer to other works such as Finding Neverland and Chocolat. But then this is not completely Depp’s show.
That title belongs to French actress, director, and screenwriter Maiwenn. She handles all of those tasks in this story of Jeanne Becu who came from nothing to become the last official mistress of King Louis XV of France in the 18th Century. Maiwenn beautifully handles this material which paints a portrait of Jeanne as a rebel and outcast who wins the heart of the King, played by Depp. His court mostly looks down upon her as a “girl from the gutter.” But the King sees something different in her. She defies some of the “rules” previously attached to anyone who might come in contact with the king. She doesn’t do this out of spite, she just doesn’t quite get why, for instance, all must walk backwards in small steps when leaving the king’s presence. He, in turn, seems to admire her strong and gutsy spirit. While we initially see Depp playing the King as a fairly serious, if quiet, ruler the character seems to appreciate Jeanne’s laughter and recognizes the silliness in some of these royal routines. He cracks smiles and supportive glances at her which helps to build the bond they will share for many years.
Maiwenn is interesting as a screen presence. She’s not classically beautiful but possesses a strength which stands in contrast to the other women of the King’s court. Her mouth is wide and her teeth are big, yet these come across as alluring and exotic. The actress is also more than able to elicit the range of emotions the character experiences throughout the film. Jeanne, while filled with laughter and forwardness early on, grows into a mature adult with a need for acceptance and some understandable fears and sorrows when events take an unfortunate turn for the couple. The main importance here is that we buy the love between Jeanne and the King. Thanks to these skilled actors I think most viewers will.
The production is pretty immaculate from the lavish costumes and hairstyles to the period grandeur of Versailles. There are also some very effective make-up choices on Depp late in the film that emphasize the character’s physical decline.
In the end, this is a film that showcases a character who had a big impact, at least for a while, on the court of King Louis XV. She feels less like a one-dimensional figure than a future feminist attempting to take France into a more modern era. The fact that Depp is here too adds another layer of specialness to the film that makes it worth seeing.
Jeanne du Barry opens theatrically this week.
FILM: JEANNE DU BARRY
DIRECTED BY: MAIWENN
STARRING: MAIWENN, JOHNNY DEPP, BENJAMIN LAVERNHE
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Right off the bat I have to mention the obvious: yes, this is the first significant “comeback” film for Johnny Depp since he was “cancelled” a few years back. The once mega star and three time Oscar-nominee has not gotten any plumb roles since. As such, when a new project appears and gets some international attention (it premiered at last year’s Cannes Film Festival) it is cause for a good look at where the actor has landed. For fans who like some of the big performances he gave in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, or films such as Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this is not Depp letting loose in the flamboyant manner that became his mark in the 2000s. Rather in Jeanne Du Barry Depp is much more low-key, performing in a style that is closer to other works such as Finding Neverland and Chocolat. But then this is not completely Depp’s show.
That title belongs to French actress, director, and screenwriter Maiwenn. She handles all of those tasks in this story of Jeanne Becu who came from nothing to become the last official mistress of King Louis XV of France in the 18th Century. Maiwenn beautifully handles this material which paints a portrait of Jeanne as a rebel and outcast who wins the heart of the King, played by Depp. His court mostly looks down upon her as a “girl from the gutter.” But the King sees something different in her. She defies some of the “rules” previously attached to anyone who might come in contact with the king. She doesn’t do this out of spite, she just doesn’t quite get why, for instance, all must walk backwards in small steps when leaving the king’s presence. He, in turn, seems to admire her strong and gutsy spirit. While we initially see Depp playing the King as a fairly serious, if quiet, ruler the character seems to appreciate Jeanne’s laughter and recognizes the silliness in some of these royal routines. He cracks smiles and supportive glances at her which helps to build the bond they will share for many years.
Maiwenn is interesting as a screen presence. She’s not classically beautiful but possesses a strength which stands in contrast to the other women of the King’s court. Her mouth is wide and her teeth are big, yet these come across as alluring and exotic. The actress is also more than able to elicit the range of emotions the character experiences throughout the film. Jeanne, while filled with laughter and forwardness early on, grows into a mature adult with a need for acceptance and some understandable fears and sorrows when events take an unfortunate turn for the couple. The main importance here is that we buy the love between Jeanne and the King. Thanks to these skilled actors I think most viewers will.
The production is pretty immaculate from the lavish costumes and hairstyles to the period grandeur of Versailles. There are also some very effective make-up choices on Depp late in the film that emphasize the character’s physical decline.
In the end, this is a film that showcases a character who had a big impact, at least for a while, on the court of King Louis XV. She feels less like a one-dimensional figure than a future feminist attempting to take France into a more modern era. The fact that Depp is here too adds another layer of specialness to the film that makes it worth seeing.
Jeanne du Barry opens theatrically this week.