With two new biopics, “Marie Antoinette” and “The Queen,” focused squarely on their lives, they now share box office domains. It seems no matter how unkindly the public views royals, they never go out of style.
And it’s with royal style that Kirsten Dunst and Helen Mirren play the French and British monarchs, respectively.
Through their cinematic imaginings, directors Sophia Coppola (“Marie Antoinette,” opening Friday) and Stephen Frears (“The Queen,” opened here last week) have scaled the palace walls for us.
In their stifling settings of splendor and ceremony, both the 18th Century and the modern-day rulers are shown to be so isolated from “the people,” as Elizabeth calls the British citizenry, that they completely lose touch — to their political and even personal peril.
The films’ common theme is how the young French queen and elderly British monarch coped with private heartache and public expectations. But Marie and Elizabeth are as different as their times. That’s what makes having both biopics onscreen simultaneously such an entertaining lesson in history and personality.
And then there’s the trivia. Love or abhor the queens, viewing the films makes a fascinating contrast. Here’s the royal rundown:
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MARIE ANTOINETTE
HOW THEY REACHED THE THRONE
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An Austrian royal princess, married at age 15 to the French dauphin, later King Louis XVI. Crowned at age 18, sent to the guillotine at 37.
OUTFITTED LIKE A QUEEN
And the Oscar goes to Dunst for perfecting the “Versailles glide” while strapped down in panniers and corsets, layered with yards of tulle, organza, taffeta and silk. Marie’s Material Girl status? Confirmed.
FASHION SIGNATURE
Pairs and pairs of high-heeled, candy-colored confections. Sort of Manolo Blahniks, the 18th Century version.
MANE ATTRACTION
Wigs, wigs, mile-high wigs, festooned with feathers, birds — a wedding cake atop her head. Every day. Must have itched.
PALACE POOCHES
Cake-eating pug.
COURT LIFE
A coterie of etiquette advisers, servants and courtiersattend to her every need — dressing, grooming, even bathing her.She is allowed to feed herself.
MOTHER KNOWS BEST
Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to Marie: “Nothing is certain about your place there until an heir is produced.” In other words, it’s not him, it’s you. Get busy.
ROYAL RESIDENCES
The big crib: Versailles outside Paris. Private retreat: Le Petit Trianon on Versailles’ grounds.
ELIZABETH II
HOW THEY REACHED THE THRONE
Daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Married Lt. Philip Mountbatten in 1947. Succeeded to the throne in 1953 at age 26. Now 80, has ruled ever since.
OUTFITTED LIKE A QUEEN
Clad in an assortment of dark-colored, shapeless dresses (for all those solemn occasions), oversize brooches, tweedy jackets and all-purpose head scarves, Mirren bears a striking resemblance to the real Elizabeth. Unfortunately.
FASHION SIGNATURE
Sensible black pumps when on official duty; earth-toned brogues for retreats to the Scottish highlands. An endless collection of hats and large, stiff handbags.
MANE ATTRACTION
Tightly coiffed gray hair. One style for every occasion. Tiara optional.
PALACE POOCHES
Four corgis.
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COURT LIFE
Butlers and maids are everywhere, but she puts on her own jewelry, walks her dogs and drives her own Land Rover.
MOTHER KNOWS BEST
Queen Mother, to Elizabeth: “You’re the greatest asset this institution has had.”
ROYAL RESIDENCES
Main crib: Buckingham Palace in London. Country retreat: Balmoral in Scotland.