Let Them Eat (2006 Video) User Reviews

Memorable Marie

[epl · 9/10 · 24 October 2006]

Let Them Eat fascinated me. As a movie-going historian and romantic, this film was custom made for me. Cottle is brilliantly obsessed with Antoinette's love life. That works fine. Realism and the interesting visits to her in prison before her head is lopped off are just wonderful. Although this is an art film from an Independent production house, the quality is there. This film captures the real story of a Queen of France who had it all. Or we think she had it all. The film shows how much she didn't have. The film feels just right even with a shorter than most time span of less than an hour. Religious fanatics, French nationals,and explosion fans will not like this film. Proudly will this film stay in my collection.

A Modern Soap Opera

[jan_neptune · 8/10 · 24 October 2006]

Remember the Raven's Forever More? Remember Soap Opera's Dark Shadows! Well, this one woman show is reminiscent of both, as Leslie Cottle, writer, director, and actress in deep throaty tones makes us learn of a Love Forever More! Whether obsessed, possessed, or just suffering from too long an infatuation with Zeig's story of Marie Antoinette, our lovely Bella through the most marvelous and wonderful flashbacks ever made in an independent film takes us from her modern day lifestyle to scenes and memories of the last hours of Marie Antoinette caught in her cell, remembering her favorite times with her beloved soul mate, Axel Fersen.

Leslie is a true romantic, as she captures beautifully the tormented final moments of the French Queen's thoughts just before she must ascend to the gallows.

With flickering lights, romantic memories cherished forevermore, Marie Antoinette consoles herself with the thoughts of her beloved as she relies upon his love for her to carry her to her end...then suddenly, she shifts into a modern day young princess who is nurtured by a friend with a casserole dish to get her started on her morning day...Bella then takes us on her journey of a soul who encounters her own private obsession in a mystical experience, realizing the joy of her life in meeting up with her own "self" in a protected and poignant scene...

For an independent film, this is an enchanting look at a woman who believes in her heart that she is really at "one" with the tragic Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette, in a most interesting and beautiful encounter, counsels our young Bella to release her past and look ahead to a beautiful future...

For those who love mystery, romance, and enchantment, this is a film full of tones of Edgar Allen Poe and Zweig's Marie Antoinette that is very well executed. Leslie Cottle is marvelous portraying multiple roles as both Bella and Marie Antoinette! It is a must see for the seekers of truth, and is a thoughtful, provocative film.

I give it 8 stars, as I believe that Leslie must produce a sequel, and is just beginning a great career!

A poetic encounter with death and transcendence!

[mimigum · 8/10 · 17 October 2006]

Actress, poetess, screenwriter and director Leslie Cottle gives full rein to her talents in this masterpiece of poetry and art. "Let Them Eat" is an imaginative recreation of the last moments of Queen Marie-Antoinette awaiting death in her prison cell. Her courage, her strength, her agony are all powerfully captured. Leslie Cottle is able to convey more of the unique personality of the most enigmatic and mysterious of queens in a few moments than Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst are able to do in two hours and with forty million dollars. In spite of the limits of the independent genre, Ms Cottle's talent shines and one is put in touch with the tears and inner struggle of Marie-Antoinette. Light pierces the darkness as the queen reaches through time and space to touch a troubled modern woman. A tear-jerker, "Let Them Eat" shines as a gem among independent films.

Let Them Eat

[derskine-2 · 10/10 · 22 October 2006]

This is one of the most fascinating movies, I have ever seen. Filled with excellent poetry, and tender emotions, it captures the last days Of Marie Antoinette, so well. Excellent job, and very artistically done.The scenery creates a mood of the Era, and Leslie's portrayal of the Queen is uncanny. This movie, almost makes the viewer feel they are there, and experiencing the mood of the days.

The portrayal to modern day events, to the events of the Revolution, fits so well and leaves the viewer wanting more. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who has a love for Historical places.And Historical events

A passionate work from a passionate artist.

[dave-carmichael · 9/10 · 24 January 2007]

In Leslie Cottle's film "Let Them Eat…", her passion for film-making clearly comes through. It is quite apparent that the subject matter in this film resonates deeply with her. As such, the viewer is also swept up in the emotions being portrayed in the film.

What also convinces the viewer to submerse themselves in her story is the fine performances throughout "Let Them Eat…", particularly Mark Camacho and also Ms. Cottle herself. That Ms. Cottle can produce, direct and still give us a nuanced portrayal of both Marie Antoinette and Bella Varennes says very much of this filmmaker.

And speaking of her production credit, let it be said that the production values are quite impressive for a small, independent film and display Ms. Cottle's exacting attention to detail. It also allows the viewer to easily follow Ms. Cottle through the story, as the convincing environment allows us to focus on the characters themselves.