March 23, 2000
THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE
Screenplay by John Sweet
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
COUNTESS JEANNE DE LA MOTTE-VALOIS was born of royal lineage, but was reduced to poverty by King LOUIS XIV, who, eager to dispose of a rival to the throne, ordered the seizure of her family’s estate and killed her father DARNELL VALOIS. Shortly after, her mother, IRENE, dies in giving birth to Jeanne’s SISTER. The orphans are taken in by the MARQUIS & MARQUISE BOULAINVILLERS. Jeanne’s baby sister dies. At 24, Jeanne tries to petition QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE for the return of her family estate, but is thrown out by House Minister BRETEUIL. Gigolo RETAUX DE VILETTE comes to her aid and walks her home, but fails to seduce her. Jewelers BOHMER and BASSENGE try to sell an opulent diamond necklace to Antoinette. She refuses. Meanwhile, Retaux shows Jeanne around the court, introducing her to Cardinal LOUIS de ROHAN, a debaucher and enemy of Antoinette. Faking a friendship with Antoinette, Jeanne tells Rohan and promises to reconcile their relationship, but in return she wants him to help verify her royal lineage. His friend CAGLIOSTRO, a German mystic, meets Jeanne and warns Rohan of her. With her lover Retaux’s help, Jeanne fakes encouraging letters from Antoinette to Rohan who gives her a large sum of money in return. Jeanne uses the money to upgrade her appearance and habitat. When all the DOWAGERS believe the rumors that Jeanne and Antoinette are friends, she becomes popular in court. Hearing of her new wealth, Jeanne’s long-lost, unfaithful husband, NICOLAS DE LA MOTTE, returns to find her and Retaux having sex. When he tries to kill Retaux, Jeanne’s new maid, ROSALIE, shoots and wounds Nicolas, rescuing Retaux. Believing the rumors, Bassenge approaches Jeanne, offering her a commission if she convinces Antoinette to buy the necklace. Jeanne fakes a letter from Antoinette asking Rohan to discreetly buy the necklace for her so the public won’t know about her extravagance. He refuses until she gets him a private audience with Antoinette. (Jeanne figures after she gets the necklace, Rohan, afraid of scandal, will pay off the jewelers.) Jeanne has a WOMAN IN BLUE masquerade as Antoinette and flirt with Rohan. The jewelers sell Rohan the necklace who believes Antoinette will repay him in 3 months. Cagliostro predicts Rohan will be made PM. Jeanne has Retaux, masquerading as the Queen’s messenger, pick up the necklace from Rohan for Antoinette. Later, Jeanne, Retaux, and Nicolas celebrate their venture.
The trio sell off some of the diamonds and retreat to the old Valois estate in the country. Jeanne is finally at home. In the streets, patriot CAMILLE DESMOULINS preaches against the monarchy’s decadent excess. When Nicolas narrowly escapes from some GENDARMES, Retaux wants to leave the country, but Jeanne figures she can use Rohan’s love letters to the Queen to blackmail him. Bohmer tells Breteuil he has been defrauded. Breteuil and the Queen confront Rohan who is arrested. Nicolas and Retaux flee. Jeanne burns the letters. Breteuil arrests Jeanne. Antoinette wants public vindication of her innocence. Retaux is captured and tortured into implicating innocent Rohan. Prostitute NICOLE D’OLIVA is revealed as the Woman in Blue. Jeanne refuses to implicate Rohan. Jeanne, Rohan, Cagliostro, Retaux and Nicole are tried. Nicole and Cagliostro are acquitted. Retaux is banished. Rohan is acquitted and exonerated. Antoinette is furious and has him reduced to poverty. Jeanne is imprisoned. The French Revolution guillotines Antoinette. Jeanne escapes to England.
Summary Criticism: Excellently crafted, the characters are wickedly sympathetic and the plot is compelling. A true story, the themes of “excess” and “greed” have contemporary implications.
The Affair of the Necklace (2001) - imdb
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