The Affair of the Necklace Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lady tries to get her house back by convincing a priest to buy a really expensive necklace that she’s going to steal, potentially causing a revolution because…reasons.

🍿 The Affair of the Necklace: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: Jeanne’s Quest for Justice

Set in pre-Revolutionary France, the film centers on Jeanne St. Remy de Valois, a young aristocrat determined to reclaim her family’s name and fortune, unjustly seized by the monarchy. Driven by a sense of injustice, she seeks an audience with Queen Marie Antoinette, believing she can right the wrongs inflicted upon her family. However, her attempts are thwarted by the court’s rigid structure and influential figures.

The Conspiracy: A Necklace and a Cardinal

Jeanne, resourceful and ambitious, enlists the help of Rétaux de Vilette, a charming gigolo, to navigate the treacherous waters of the French court. Together, they devise a plan involving a priceless diamond necklace, originally intended for Madame du Barry. They target Cardinal de Rohan, a man eager to regain the Queen’s favor, and forge letters seemingly from Marie Antoinette, convincing him that she desires the necklace but wishes to acquire it discreetly.

The Scheme Unravels

The Cardinal, believing he is acting as the Queen’s secret emissary, purchases the necklace and delivers it to Jeanne, supposedly for Marie Antoinette. However, the deception begins to unravel as the jewelers grow suspicious, and rumors spread throughout the court. The consequences of Jeanne’s actions threaten to ignite the growing discontent among the French populace.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jeanne St. Remy de Valois (Hilary Swank): A penniless aristocratic woman who schemes to steal a priceless necklace to avenge her family’s disgrace.
• Rétaux de Vilette (Simon Baker): A charming courtside gigolo who assists Jeanne in her elaborate scheme and becomes her lover.
• Cardinal Louis de Rohan (Jonathan Pryce): A powerful and ambitious cardinal who is manipulated by Jeanne into purchasing the necklace, believing it’s for the Queen.
• Nicolas De La Motte (Adrien Brody): Jeanne’s husband, a dissolute count who is involved in the necklace scheme.
• Marie-Antoinette (Joely Richardson): The Queen of France whose reputation is damaged by the scandal surrounding the necklace.
• Count Cagliostro (Christopher Walken): A mysterious and preternaturally-creepy charlatan who aids Jeanne and the Cardinal in their deception, and serves as a spiritual advisor.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Count Nicolas De La Motte: “Goddamn! Goddamn! Are you digging for potatoes? Go easy!” – Nicolas exclaims this in pain when a doctor is removing a bullet from his backside.
• Dr. Legear: “I did not tell how to get this projectile where it is! Do not presume to tell me how to get it out!” – The doctor retorts, annoyed by Nicolas’s complaints during the bullet extraction.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $471,210
• Worldwide Gross: $1,198,113

💥 The Affair of the Necklace Reviews

Personal Review

I watched this movie because I love Hilary Swank, but I was a bit underwhelmed. The story felt like it had so much potential, but it never fully clicked for me. I did enjoy the costumes and the sets – they were gorgeous! Christopher Walken was delightfully creepy, as always. Overall, it’s an okay watch if you’re into historical dramas, but don’t expect to be blown away. The scene where Nicolas gets shot in the butt and then the bullet extracted was hilarious, though!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in pre-Revolutionary France”
  • “Those who appreciate costume design and period settings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of violence”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Mature themes related to deception and social injustice”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Visually stunning, the film suffers from inconsistent accents and a weak central performance. While the supporting cast shines, Swank’s portrayal of Jeanne lacks the necessary depth and complexity. The story is compelling but could have benefited from a more assured lead.
• IMDb: “Sumptuous production values and scene-stealing performances by Christopher Walken and Adrien Brody, but Hilary Swank is miscast. The costume design is a highlight, but Swank’s performance isn’t bad, but it’s not as assured as it should be.

Audience Reactions

The costumes and set designs are visually stunning and transport viewers to pre-revolutionary France.: The movie is visually appealing with rich costumes, sets, and locations.

Christopher Walken and Adrien Brody deliver entertaining performances, adding a unique flair to their characters.: Viewers enjoyed Christopher Walken’s and Adrien Brody’s eccentric and fun performances.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing period drama with a compelling story, but suffers from inconsistent acting and accents, ultimately falling short of its potential.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film includes three Oscar winners in its cast: Hilary Swank, Christopher Walken, and Adrien Brody; and one Oscar nominee: Jonathan Pryce.”
• “The film was shot on location in Prague, Czech Republic, to authentically recreate the period settings of pre-Revolutionary France.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Affair of the Necklace?

As of October 2024, “The Affair of the Necklace” is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability as options may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Affair of the Necklace, you might like these similar films:

• Dangerous Liaisons (1988): Explores the complex intrigues and moral corruption within the French aristocracy through scheming and manipulation.
• Marie Antoinette (2006): Offers a stylized look at the life of Marie Antoinette, providing context for the political climate and social decadence that led to the French Revolution.
• Ridicule (1996): Focuses on the importance of wit and social maneuvering in the French court, a key element also present in ‘The Affair of the Necklace’.

🛒 The Affair of the Necklace Related Products

• The Affair of the Necklace [DVD]: Own the movie on DVD and enjoy the visual spectacle in high definition.
• Diamond Pendant Necklace for Women, 14K White Gold Necklace, Real Diamond, 1/4 Carat: Exquisite replica of a diamond pendant, capturing the essence of the film’s iconic necklace. A symbol of opulence and intrigue.
• Revolutionary France History Books: France from the period of 1780s.
• Marie Antoinette Historical Fiction Novel: Historical-fiction Marie Antoinette Novel.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Affair of the Necklace features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Movement I: Mercy” – performed by Alanis Morissette & Salif Keïta
• “Glory of the Lord” – performed by Handel’s Messiah

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Execution woman by guillotine

Want to see one of the most dramatic scenes from ‘The Affair of the Necklace’? This clip shows Marie Antoinette’s execution, and honestly, it’s pretty intense and historically intriguing! Definitely worth a watch to get a feel for the movie’s tone.

✨ Rate