The Queen of Versailles
Seen it?2012 | 100 min | Documentary
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it was a box office smash. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
With the epic dimensions of a Shakespearean tragedy, The Queen of Versailles follows billionaires Jackie and David’s rags-to-riches story to uncover the innate virtues and flaws of their American dream. We open on the triumphant construction of the biggest house in America, a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot mansion inspired by Versailles. Since a booming time-share business built on the real-estate bubble is financing it, the economic crisis brings progress to a halt and seals the fate of its owners. We witness the impact of this turn of fortune over the next two years in a riveting film fraught with delusion, denial, and self-effacing humor.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerVery strong
$1.2 billion worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 147K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lauren Greenfield
- Jacqueline SiegelSelf (as Jackie Siegel)
- David SiegelSelf
- Virginia NebabSelf - Nanny
- Katie StamSelf - Miss America
- Lorraine BarrettSelf - Real Estate Agent
- June DownsSelf - Next Door Neighbor
- Phillip FroehlichSelf - Vice President, West Resorts
- Marissa GaspaySelf - Nanny
- Tina MartinezSelf - High School Friend
- Jonquil PeedSelf - Niece (as Jonquil)