I also feel that "assassinated by Italian anarchist" is a way more interesting ending AND would have provided a culmination to themes about politics & nationalism in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which as it is they touched on... vaguely...
I just realized that if this film has her kill herself in 1878, then she misses the entire Mayerling affair, which was a huge part of her emotional life historically, although I guess not as interesting as being driven to suicide.
How am I supposed to believe that our heroine really wants to have more of a voice in the affairs of her empire when we have only the vaguest idea what those affairs are, let alone what she wants to say in them?
I could see that working in a film where the point is that she wants to have something to say, but doesn't know what and doesn't even know enough about the issues under discussion to figure out—a tragic insulation from the realities rather than the ceremonies of politics. If it's meant to be an informed as well as sincere desire on her part, however, then unfortunately the audience needs to be informed, too.
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Date: 2022-10-18 06:53 pm (UTC)I just realized that if this film has her kill herself in 1878, then she misses the entire Mayerling affair, which was a huge part of her emotional life historically, although I guess not as interesting as being driven to suicide.
How am I supposed to believe that our heroine really wants to have more of a voice in the affairs of her empire when we have only the vaguest idea what those affairs are, let alone what she wants to say in them?
I could see that working in a film where the point is that she wants to have something to say, but doesn't know what and doesn't even know enough about the issues under discussion to figure out—a tragic insulation from the realities rather than the ceremonies of politics. If it's meant to be an informed as well as sincere desire on her part, however, then unfortunately the audience needs to be informed, too.