The Queen of Versaille
Release Date: July 20th, 2012
Director: Lauren Greenfield
Logline: A documentary that follows a billionaire couple as they begin construction on a mansion inspired by Versailles. During the next two years, their empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. (Source IMDb)
Documentary, 100 min.
Bechdel Test: N/A
Review
During that most annoying phase of life where people are constantly asking "So what are your plans after you graduate?" I started to answer with "I really just want to marry rich." Usually this would elicit a polite laugh and then they'd leave me alone.
But really, doesn't marrying rich sound amazing? You can just chill all day, buy whatever you want and revel in the realization that your biggest worry is whether you have coordinating Louboutins for every outfit.
That's exactly the situation that we find Jackie Siegal in. She is married to a real estate billionaire who is building her the biggest home in North America. She has a bunch of kids, a bunch of dogs, and a ton of cash - her life seems amazing. Then the 2008 economic crisis comes along and we get an entirely different perspective. We see that her relationship with her husband is strained and her kids are being raised by nannies. She seems to have lost her identity in the overwhelming lifestyle of the rich.
This documentary gives the viewer a captivating look at what life is like for the richest of the rich. No matter what kind of pay cheque you're bringing home, everyone worries about pretty much the same things: money, fitting in, family, and house training your dogs.
Portrayal of Women: Jackie is the most interesting person in this film. Her life was filled with ups and downs and her marriage to David was supposed to be her happy ending. I wonder if she is truly happy with that decision.
In her hometown, people talked about how smart she was and how they could always tell she was going places. Is marrying a billionaire hindering that potential? Should we envy her or pity her - is she wasting her life away as she completely identifies as David's wife?
The answer to that is no one's business but Jackie's, but I'm dying to know how she would answer.
Sisterhood Moment: You can tell Jackie does have good intentions when it comes to helping people. She sends money to her high school bestie to help save her house from being foreclosed. Even if you don't speak to your high school girlfriends anymore, that history always counts for something.
Rating: 3/5 plus 3 Pomeranians and a Miss America sash.
Release Date: July 20th, 2012
Review
But really, doesn't marrying rich sound amazing? You can just chill all day, buy whatever you want and revel in the realization that your biggest worry is whether you have coordinating Louboutins for every outfit.
That's exactly the situation that we find Jackie Siegal in. She is married to a real estate billionaire who is building her the biggest home in North America. She has a bunch of kids, a bunch of dogs, and a ton of cash - her life seems amazing. Then the 2008 economic crisis comes along and we get an entirely different perspective. We see that her relationship with her husband is strained and her kids are being raised by nannies. She seems to have lost her identity in the overwhelming lifestyle of the rich.
This documentary gives the viewer a captivating look at what life is like for the richest of the rich. No matter what kind of pay cheque you're bringing home, everyone worries about pretty much the same things: money, fitting in, family, and house training your dogs.
In her hometown, people talked about how smart she was and how they could always tell she was going places. Is marrying a billionaire hindering that potential? Should we envy her or pity her - is she wasting her life away as she completely identifies as David's wife?
The answer to that is no one's business but Jackie's, but I'm dying to know how she would answer.
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