Corsage. La emperatriz rebelde

The danger with fictional accounts of the lives of real people, is that it is frequently all to easy to poke holes in the plot. This is one such film that takes just a little too much creative licence with the the life of the Empress Elisabeth (Vicky Krieps). Wife of the famed Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef (Florian Teichtmeister), this film follows a supposed year in the life of this curious historical figure who, having suffered a family tragedy and having a rather estranged emotional relationship with her husband, spends much of her life obsessing with her weight and seeking solitude. Krieps is on good form, she creates a persona for her character that is effective to watch, but the mixture of modern and period scenarios (old buildings with modern fire doors; a cross-channel ferry!) seems anachronistic - to what end? The buildings in which she and her family inhabit have none of the opulence and grandeur of the Hofburg or Prague Castle, indeed the British home of her horse-master "Bay" (Colin Morgan) looks little better that a ramshackle ruin - and this is incongruous with the way we know she lived her life. Reclusive, yes, but still in splendour. It is also a particularly unremarkable year in her life to have chosen to illustrate. Not the previous ones where turbulence within the Imperial family reigned, not the famed "Mayerling" period which was ultimately held responsible for the final decline of this lady. There is also an highly speculative portrayal of her relationship with Bavaria's equally famous King Ludwig II (Manuel Rubey). The denouement itself is presented here in a rather too bizarre fashion that rather topped off this interesting but frankly flat and pace-less drama that offers us a glimpse of this intriguing woman, but little more of substance. Pity.

Based on a true story of the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria who was also Queen of Hungary: in the late 1800s, Elisabeth (Vicky Krieps) struggles with life and mental health mainly due to her troubled marriage with Emperor Franz Joseph (Florian Teichtmeister). She has recently turned forty and is further depressed by the changes in her appearance.

"Corsage" has a pleasant, steady flow all the way through and it is blessed with a fine lead performance by Krieps as well as European beauty and glamour (it takes place in various European locations).

There is occasional confusion regarding different time periods as the film is non-linear and some important parts of the film are deliberately revisionist. But it is a pleasant experience overall. It can also be praised for not taking sides in the various conflicts and showing compassion for all sides.

In drawing attention to unhappy royals, it's easy to think of a certain couple who recently cut ties with the British royal family. While it is true that even those at the top of the social hierarchy can be unhappy with their lot in life, they certainly have the means to make luxurious accommodations to alleviate their troubles. Elisabeth makes trips to England, Bavaria, and Italy while being waited upon. Maybe, there ought to be stories of those doing the waiting-upon as they may not have been happy with their lot in life either. But despite being privileged, it is still possible to sympathize with Elisabeth's life in a golden cage. - dbamateurcritic.

Through ages and ages, women have been without power, even though it may seem she is an important figure but outside of her circle, she is to be used just for the apperance. Vicky Krieps is a delight. The women forced to oblige to the unrealistic standards of weight and beauty, not accepting the normal women. The things one woman has to do to get to this societal image and the toll on the mental health, even true today. You can feel the pain of all this in this film even though they had given her a bit of freedom of escaping (which I think is far from truth). Also, the hair styling was top notch, and I dont know why it reminded me of Sacrifice by Andrei Tarkovsky. Beautiful set design and dresses. Loved the use of lights and everything. But it is not only patriarchy that has engulfed the women throughtout this time. But all the things which benifit from them. I often wonder, what it would be like living in a eutopian world with no fallable systems created by humans.

A beautifully shot and elegiac film that explores the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria as she navigates the expectations of her culture and her own desires. Vicky Krieps gives a layered and nuanced performance as Elisabeth, and the metaphor of the corset effectively symbolizes the constrictions of her privileged but powerless life. While the film is unabashedly fictionalized, it effectively captures the internal struggles of a woman who is constantly told what to do and who grapples with the fear of losing her beauty and power as she ages. The sumptuous settings and contemporary songs add to the overall atmosphere of the film, which is both poignant and thought-provoking. Overall, "Corsage" is a worthwhile watch for fans of historical dramas and those interested in exploring themes of beauty, power, and the constraints of societal expectations.

Corsage is a tale of a woman now and then a prisoner of fame a prisoner of formalities. Torturing depression that an empress can't escape, corsage captures the tragic reality of human lives that's glazed with grandeurs erupting from time to time, Vicky's performance is absolutely devoted and sharp along with the equally excellent work by the rest of the cast. The cinematography captures the simplicity and beauty of every moment very well. Great use of audio enriching each scene with melody. Corsage is a slow developing story about life that has a bittersweetness that would last for a good amount of time.