A Royal Exchange (Film Review)

A Royal Exchange: based on a novel by Chantal Thomas, who also wrote the equally filmed Farewell My Queen. A Royal Exchange was directed by Marc Dugan, picks an earlier 18th century brief interlude in French (and Spanish) history, and has the problem that while there's nothing wrong with it and the visuals are suitably gorgeous, there's nothing gripping about it, either. The story: France is damn near broke and bled out by too many wars under Louis XIV, so Philippe II. d'Orleans, Regent of France, arranges for two marriages supposed to solidify French/Spanish (and thus also European) peace and ensure the current King of Spain, who happens to be the late Sun King's grandson, will keep his word and won't claim the French succession. The marriages in question: eleven years old Louis XV marries four years old Maria Anna Viktoria of Spain, twelve years old Louise Elisabeth d'Orleans (Philippe II.' daughter) marries fourteen years old Don Luis of Spain.

( Spoilery review of a film that left me oddly cold )