By John Corrado

Directed, co-written by and starring French actress Maïwenn, Jeanne du Barry (which was the opening night film of Cannes last year) is a period biopic of Madame du Barry, the final mistress of King Louis XV.

The film charts how “commoner” Jeanne Vaubernier (played by Maïwenn) rose through the ranks of French high society in the 1700s. It mainly centres around her love affair with Louis XV (played by Johnny Depp), which causes a scandal in the court as she moves to Versailles to be with the king.

Inspired by Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (if not rising to those heights), Maïwenn’s film brings a slight wit and irreverence to the period piece genre, with Maïwenn herself adding some playfulness to her portrayal of du Barry.

For many viewers, the main draw of Jeanne du Barry will be the return of Depp, in his first big role following the widely publicized trial. Depp is somewhat subdued in the film compared to his more eccentric roles of the past, but nonetheless turns in a good performance. His mannerisms and facial expressions help him embody the character as he acts in French for the first time (though with minimal dialogue), reminding us of his gifted expressiveness as an actor.

If Jeanne du Barry can still feel a bit dry in places, it’s a decent period piece that boasts fine leading performances and some attractive costumes and production design. Shot on 35mm by cinematographer Laurent Dailland, the film has a crisp, regal look to it, highlighting the castle interiors. The voiceover narration by Stanislas Stanic, which talks us through the historical events of the time, provides context when needed, feeling more like artistic choice than expository distraction.

Film Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)

Jeanne du Barry will be available on Digital/VOD platforms as of June 21st. It’s being distributed in Canada by Vertical Entertainment.