yes well period piece films are not usually my scene
but in this case there's one factor that appeals big time
versailles - the gardens of - this film based on the build
starring and directed by alan rickman - he knows his stuff
kate winslet - well - not a big fan - but - let's see how she goes
1682 - the year the film is set - versailles construction underway
king louis xiv (rickman) has demanded a grand vision for the gardens
andre le notre is his chief gardener but he needs help for this huge project
and so sabine de barra (winslet) has submitted an application for the gig
she has a 3 minute interview with le notre who dismisses her outright
seems her want to dispense with 'order' challenges he who utilises it
she pushing for 'a little chaos' in the future-looking garden design
but male vanity is alive and kicking in the 17th century - no gig
other (male) applicants smirking - but of course she wins in the end
this after that night le notre makes a surprise visit to her paris home
and more (no) surprises - a suggestion of a romantic appointment also
she a widow and he a married man - though seems wifey is an infidel
as we witness with some rumpy-pumpy in a horse-drawn carriage
sabine is assigned the job supervising the build of an outdoor ballroom
cascading waterfalls, tiered seating, marble dancefloor, etc - big job
so some screen time spent showing that process and sabine's drive
in the meantime over at palace hq king louis has some family drama
his wife has died (the queen is dead) and he is in a state of mourning
alan rickman seen revelling in the role of a morose and aloof oligarch
he takes time out - sits alone unwigged in one of the palace nurseries
soon joined by sabine but she does not recognise him as the king
so some silly banter as he briefly plays along with her small talk
so far - well - flat as really - acting all a bit go-through-the-motions
but the dramas keep on coming - le notre now besotted with sabine
and with it wifey picks up on her husbands own other love interest
leading to some vengeful sabotaging of sabines work in progress
this involves a release of a water spillway that sabine ends up in
nearly drowning in the process and predictably saved by her man
the passion flows and so soon too the regret for a tearful sabine
distraught in fact - somehow this episode triggers a long flashback
seems her husband was also a cad and ran off taking their daughter
as he escaped their carriage crashed down a slope - daughter killed
so much drama packed into this film - but - where's the conviction?
anyway - the finale rolls around - of course she gets the job done
the aristocracy dressed to the max for the fixture's grand opening
louis taking a dance with sabine (ah nice) and into party mode
the cameras back and up providing an aerial shot of versailles
but - not even a very good model - clearly not the real deal
which pretty well sums up the whole film - a real wannabe
the promotion poster suggested comedy, drama, romance
comedy - a couple of cringeworthy wise-cracks at best
drama - plenty of that - but coronation street-esque
romance - sex maybe - and then only box-tick-ish
the best thing about the film is the costumes
everyone and everything seemed...detached
a very english film hijacking a french story
and fictionalised anyway - it's just a yarn
alan rickman and team have more work yet
more acting required as they talk this one up
probably should have gone straight to youtube
