Le Roi danse

I felt like this movie could have been shot so much better. Either in a more effective way – like Marie Antoinette – or simply better – like Forman’s Amadeus. At the beginning, I was getting a little bit lost in the story and eventually, I figured out that there was nothing that interesting going on and that I had no relationship with the characters. In the end, I realized that I was not at all surprised that the French had started the revolution. The sight of crazy Louis hatching secret plans and trying to build the Palace of Versailles in a swamp was priceless. But I admit that his plans were pretty great. In any case, they were plans at the expense of ordinary people’s money... and that’s not so great. But these sorts of feelings have survived to this day. Except that nowadays, the state doesn’t give us anything in exchange for our money. (25/04/2014)

The main role in the historical epic film is not played by the character of the famous Sun King, nor even the character of his court composer Lully, but rather the era of the peak of French absolutism, when Louis' exclusive position was reflected in his cultural activities. The greatest monarch of his era had to have everything be the best. Through his lifestyle, behavior, and activities, he demonstrated the exceptional nature of his position and his personality. The characters of the story are in the background, while the foreground is filled with the opulent splendor of baroque decoration, noblewomen's robes, theater sets, and the king's costumes. The film showcases the entire cultural epoch, its most distinctive and majestic form. It can practically be considered a musical film interwoven with period music. Overall impression: 80%. (02/02/2016)