The Affair of the Necklace (Widescreen)

Hilary Swank delivers a superb performance as the scheming Jeanne de la Motte-Valois. Jonathan Pryce and Christopher Walken also shine in this well executed movie.

The Affair of the Necklace is a movie that combines greed, lust, corruption and sexuality in a most beguiling mix. This movie is the end result of a rare combination of quality acting, distinguished directing, skillful script writing, a large budget and careful attention to historical accuracy in every detail.

The Affair of the Necklace is a masterpiece.

Hilary Swank, although not my top choice for a costume drama, does a good job of playing Jeanne de la Motte-Valois, a woman who lost her parents and her title at a young age. With the help of a court women-chaser, Baker, she uses the Cardinal's desire for Marie Antoinette, and the luxurious diamond necklace that comes into place, to get what she wants.

As lies are told, and people pretending to be someone else, the grand plot begins to resemble a tower of playing cards that can topple at any moment.

It was a wonderful movie, that felt cozy, and it was almost like a mystery drama, in beautiful lavish costumes. The ending is great, and unexpected for some characters.

The whole premise is quite facinating. Especially if you have read some of the non-fiction historical accounts of this time period. It is easy to get sweapt up in the plot. And, as you watch, it is interesting to consider how such seemingly insignificant happenings as these tip the scale of human history.

Certainly the main character, Jeanne Valois, could not have known how her plotting would shape the world she lived in. You find a lot of sympathy for Swank's character because of this. It is glaringly apparent to the watcher that Jeanne's desperate plot to regain her family holdings is doomed to fail - but Swank's character is blind to this. It is this blindness, this naivety that makes you sympathize with her. Jeanne actually believes she will pull off her elaborate schemes without concequence. The watcher knows better, and we pity her even as we watch her construct her own downfall.

Of course Hollywood has taken some liberties with the actual story (when do they not?), but I thought the writers did a brilliant job of meshing it all together. The dialog was very well done. The sound editing was great. The costumes and setting were sumptuous. And the acting was so very well done.

A really good movie. Certainly worthy of your time.