If you love period pieces and are a fan of Versailles, make sure to catch Pierce Brosnan as The Sun King, Louis XIV, in The King’s Daughter, hits theaters on Friday, January 21st. The film originally set to release in 2015, was shelved while distribution rights were settled, unfortunately premiered to lack luster reviews. The King’s Daughter is not gold, but it does shimmer in my opinion. This film is based on the novel, THE MOON AND THE SUN by Vonda McIntyre.
This film will be one that you’ll happen to see on a streaming service one day and enjoy in the comfort of your home. Brosnan portrays a regal King Louis and I honestly felt he was kind and benevolent. That is until he decides that he should be the King of France for eternity and is looking to become immortal by consuming the heart of a mermaid. Yes, the beautiful image in the poster of the actual mermaid played by Fan Bing Bing. I had hoped that she would have been more Darryl Hannah, a la Splash style, but the mermaid was more cgi in my opinion.
Kaya Scodelario was beautiful in the film as Marie-Josèphe, but at times the scenes were too rush I feel. You learn a bit of the back story but if you aren’t paying attention you’ll miss it. I didn’t understand if she was coming to the palace as a occupant but then she began playing music for King Louis, so then she learns of the real reason she’s there (I want to avoid spoiling it for you) and then the struggle really begins. We don’t really get to see too much of a “princess style” makeover but you note the changes as the film progresses.
Photo credit: https://thekingsdaughtermovie.com/gallery/
What I Loved
This film was a cross between Pirates of the Caribbean, The Goonies, and The Princess Diaries, a bit of fantasy, struggles, and family issues. The visuals are stunning. Some of the film was shot at the Palace of Versailles, in France, and then the rest was shot in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. You can expect to see some beautiful images and stunning overview shots during the film.
The costume design was also very beautiful. Marie-Josèphe (Scodelario) is seen in some very artistic pieces that fit beautifully in the storyline. Of course King Louis XIV (Brosnan) is a looker with the long hair that honestly always looks perfect and the scenes where it’s flowing in the wind are quite magical and well done. I don’t think I’ve ever really thought of Brosnan as super attractive, but he was very handsome in this role. I have to say I did enjoy the scenes of him on horseback.
I mentioned it had a Princess Diaries feel to it right, the amazing Julie Andrews lends her voice as the narrator of the film. That was a real treat once I realized it was Ms. Andrews. She’s an absolute treasure.
Photo credit: https://thekingsdaughtermovie.com/gallery/
Okay for Kids
Yes, with the rating of PG is appropriate for young viewers. It’s a very easy film to watch, the scenery is beautiful and parents can expect a prompt of questions that children could ask:
- Are mermaids real?
- Was the Sun King real?
- What is special about a full moon?
- What instrument is she playing?
Are a few that I could think of that might be questioned after watching the film.
Watch The Trailer
About The Film
Known as The Sun King, Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan) is the most powerful and influential monarch on the planet. Obsessed with his own mortality and the future of France, Louis turns to his spiritual advisor, Père La Chaise (William Hurt), and the royal physician to help him obtain the key to immortality. Believing a mermaid (Fan Bingbing) contains a force that grants everlasting life, Louis commissions a young sea captain to search the seas and capture the mystical creature. Further complicating his plans is his orphaned daughter, Marie-Josèphe (Kaya Scodelario), who returns to court with an abundance of elegance and an inherent defiance of authority. With a rare solar eclipse approaching, Louis will discover where his daughter’s true loyalties lie as he races against time to extract the mermaid’s life-giving force.
