Watch The Affair of the Necklace

In the year 1785, a scandalous event rocked the French monarchy and led to one of the most notorious court cases in history. The Affair of the Necklace, directed by Charles Shyer and starring Hilary Swank, Simon Baker, and Jonathan Pryce, brings this captivating story to life in a lush and dramatic period piece. The film follows the story of Jeanne de la Motte-Valois (Swank) a young and beautiful woman who dreams of restoring her family name and reclaiming the wealth and status that she believes is rightfully hers. The film takes place in an opulent and decadent world, one where everyone is always scheming and plotting for their own interests. Jeanne is no exception, and she soon finds herself caught up in a web of deceit and betrayal that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear.

Jeanne's troubles begin when she crosses paths with Cardinal Louis de Rohan (Pryce), a powerful and influential member of the French court. Rohan is a man of great wealth and influence, but he is also a deeply flawed and foolish man, prone to reckless behavior and impulsive decisions. Jeanne sees him as the key to unlocking her fortunes, and she soon begins to manipulate him with promises of a secret meeting with Marie Antoinette (Joely Richardson), the Queen of France.

Jeanne's plans begin to unravel, however, when she is discovered to be a fraud and a thief. Her lies and scheming have caught up with her, and she is forced to flee the city and go into hiding. But instead of giving up, Jeanne decides to fight back, determined to clear her name and expose the corruption and injustice that has been done to her. Along the way, she enlists the help of a young and dashing thief named Rétaux de Villette (Baker), who becomes her ally and partner in this dangerous and daring adventure.

The Affair of the Necklace is a stunning and sumptuous film, rich in both historical detail and emotional depth. The sets and costumes are exquisite, transporting the viewer back to a time of incredible luxury and excess. But it is the performances that truly shine, with Swank delivering a powerful and nuanced portrayal of a woman who refuses to be beaten down by a society that has cast her aside. Pryce is also exceptional as the foolish and selfish Rohan, capturing both his charm and his hubris with great skill.

But perhaps the most memorable character in the film is de Villette, played with great charm and charisma by Baker. He is a rogue and a scoundrel, but also a man with a keen sense of honor and a deep loyalty to Jeanne. The chemistry between Swank and Baker is palpable, adding an extra layer of tension and intrigue to the already captivating story.

Overall, The Affair of the Necklace is a beautifully crafted film that will delight fans of historical dramas and anyone who loves a good tale of scandal and intrigue. It is a story of greed, ambition, and political corruption, but also one of resilience, courage, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

The Affair of the Necklace is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 42.