Farewell, My Queen
A look at the relationship between Marie Antoinette and one of her readers during the final days of the French Revolution.
The film earned $5.3M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Farewell, My Queen (2012) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Benoît Jacquot's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sidonie Laborde sleeps in the servants' quarters at Versailles. She awakens to another ordinary day serving as the Queen's reader, her entire world confined to the palace and her devotion to Marie Antoinette.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when News arrives that the Bastille has fallen on July 14, 1789. Panic spreads through Versailles as courtiers realize the revolution has begun. The carefully ordered world of the palace begins to collapse.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Sidonie actively chooses to stay at Versailles despite the danger, reaffirming her loyalty to Marie Antoinette even as others flee. She crosses the threshold into a dangerous new reality where her devotion will be tested., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The Duchess de Polignac decides to flee France, devastating Marie Antoinette. The Queen's desperation reaches new heights. Sidonie realizes the depth of the Queen's obsession with the Duchess - a love that excludes and uses everyone else. Stakes rise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Marie Antoinette asks Sidonie to undertake a dangerous mission: to disguise herself and help the Duchess de Polignac escape, essentially sacrificing Sidonie's safety for her favorite. Sidonie's devotion is revealed as one-sided exploitation. Her illusions die., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Sidonie accepts the mission, but with new clarity. She understands the truth of her position but chooses to act anyway, synthesizing loyalty with self-awareness. She will complete this final service with eyes open to its meaning., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Farewell, My Queen's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Farewell, My Queen against these established plot points, we can identify how Benoît Jacquot utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Farewell, My Queen within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Sidonie Laborde sleeps in the servants' quarters at Versailles. She awakens to another ordinary day serving as the Queen's reader, her entire world confined to the palace and her devotion to Marie Antoinette.
Theme
A courtier remarks that "loyalty is all that matters in uncertain times" as rumors swirl through Versailles. The film explores the nature of devotion, class divide, and the cost of blind loyalty.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Versailles' rigid hierarchy and Sidonie's position. She navigates the palace rituals, reads to the Queen, and shows complete devotion to Marie Antoinette. Her relationship with the Queen and the Queen's obsessive attachment to the Duchess de Polignac are established.
Disruption
News arrives that the Bastille has fallen on July 14, 1789. Panic spreads through Versailles as courtiers realize the revolution has begun. The carefully ordered world of the palace begins to collapse.
Resistance
Chaos erupts at Versailles. Sidonie witnesses courtiers fleeing, servants debating whether to stay or go, and increasing disorder. The Queen remains in denial while her favorites begin to abandon her. Sidonie must decide whether to flee to safety or remain loyal.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sidonie actively chooses to stay at Versailles despite the danger, reaffirming her loyalty to Marie Antoinette even as others flee. She crosses the threshold into a dangerous new reality where her devotion will be tested.
Mirror World
Sidonie's relationship with Marie Antoinette intensifies as the Queen becomes more dependent on her remaining servants. The Queen's obsessive love for the Duchess de Polignac is revealed more fully, serving as a mirror to Sidonie's own obsessive devotion.
Premise
The claustrophobic intimacy of the collapsing court. Sidonie serves the increasingly desperate Queen, witnessing Marie Antoinette's grief over the Duchess de Polignac's impending departure and the unraveling of aristocratic power. The promise: an intimate portrait of loyalty and obsession.
Midpoint
The Duchess de Polignac decides to flee France, devastating Marie Antoinette. The Queen's desperation reaches new heights. Sidonie realizes the depth of the Queen's obsession with the Duchess - a love that excludes and uses everyone else. Stakes rise dramatically.
Opposition
The Queen's emotional state deteriorates. Sidonie is caught between her devotion and growing awareness that she is merely a tool. The palace empties further, danger increases, and the Queen makes increasingly irrational demands as she grieves the Duchess's departure.
Collapse
Marie Antoinette asks Sidonie to undertake a dangerous mission: to disguise herself and help the Duchess de Polignac escape, essentially sacrificing Sidonie's safety for her favorite. Sidonie's devotion is revealed as one-sided exploitation. Her illusions die.
Crisis
Sidonie processes the betrayal. She must decide whether to accept this dangerous mission that proves she means nothing to the Queen beyond her utility. The darkness of her realization: she has been devoted to someone who sees her as disposable.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sidonie accepts the mission, but with new clarity. She understands the truth of her position but chooses to act anyway, synthesizing loyalty with self-awareness. She will complete this final service with eyes open to its meaning.
Synthesis
Sidonie carries out the dangerous plan, taking on the Duchess's identity to facilitate her escape. She moves through the hostile streets, risking her life for the Queen's obsession. The finale resolves her arc through action taken with full knowledge of its cost.
Transformation
Sidonie leaves Versailles, her mission complete but her world destroyed. She departs alone, no longer the innocent devoted servant from the opening. She has lost her illusions, her Queen, and her purpose - transformed by disillusionment.