OK for kids 13+
Rich family faces financial crisis in teen-friendly docu.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Queen of Versailles is a thoroughly riveting but also disturbing documentary about a very wealthy family, the Siegels, and how they swing from one extreme (seemingly endless riches) to another (the national economic crisis threatens to bring their business to its knees). There are plenty of lessons for tweens and teens about the perils of overspending, why it's important to have realistic values regarding money, and how riches can't shield you from the harsh realities of life and business. Expect some mild swearing ("damn" and "ass"), and many displays of excess. The movie becomes deeply personal in the second half, so younger viewers may feel uncomfortable watching how a family relates to each other in times of crisis, but there's a lot to learn here.
- Families can talk about money. What do the Siegels' habits and experiences teach us about fiscal responsibility? Parents, talk to your kids about your own values regarding spending, saving, and other financial issues.
- Do you find it easy to empathize with Jackie as her economic situation changes? Can you relate to her plight, despite her wealth and her lack of awareness? How does the movie make her a sympathetic character?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie offers sobering lessons about the dangers of overspending, as well as the idea that money doesn't make you happy (though it can help you live comfortably). The need to value things besides material goods and wealth is clear.
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Role models: While there's much about the Siegels that's grating -- including their obliviousness to true suffering -- Jackie in particular doesn't put on airs. She remains in touch with old friends and looks just as comfortable in a 20-room mansion as she is in a tiny one-bedroom house.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some bickering.
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Sex: A married couple kisses. A married man flirts openly with younger women. Some sexual innuendoes.
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Language: Language includes "ass" and "damn."
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Consumerism: The theme of excess runs through the entire film, and many labels are named-dropped and/or seen: Ferrero Rocher, iPhone, Risk, Yahtzee, Monopoly, Fox TV, McDonald's, Walmart, etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking by adults.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
The Queen of Versailles by malibran
This Documentary had me totally agape ! The story is nearly too amazing to imagine even in our time of excess and lack of scruples and morality . It is apt that this family wanted to imitate the french court in every vulgarity and lack of values.
That G W Bush was made USA President in Florida over Gore is in here too and his is the perhaps the most astonishing fact of all. That the money and influence of this man altered the election ... and it is in his own words .
This is a must see film. You will not be bored but you will be disgusted !
5
Entertaining and Interesting by CarinaCarina
An interesting and entertaining look at wealth in America and the American Dream. Jackie Siegel, although living in a world of crazy wealth and consumption, is strangely relatable. Her husband, David Siegel, is not so relatable and is hell bent on achieving the impossible even at the detriment of his entire family. Must see!
5
You want to hate them but you can't by Scrippy
I was prepared to feel contempt for these people but they are so human and flawed that you can't help but feel sorry for them - not for their loss of weath and power, but for all they lack - love, satisfaction, connection. I didn't want this documentary to end.
1
The Queen of Versailles by Charles Berky
A TV Reality Show on the big screen. TERRIBLE on both TV and at the movies.
4
Oh, the cleavage! by everyweek60706
I was hoping for more house and more about the house, but there was little and it wasn't very interesting. The story ends up being essentially a reality show focused on the lady of the house, herself also of exhorbitant proportions and with some work completed. The best laughs were the reality checks. The thing that strikes me is so much money and power sets these people apart, yet they live almost in squalor and misery.
3
Queen of Versailles...been there, done that by Baby Boomer
It was depressing...know a lot of people like this. Interesting but not worth viewing in my opinion.
3
THE TRUE TALE OF JACKIE AND DAVID SIEGEL, THE ULTIMATE, EXCESSIVE SPENDERS FELLED BY THE FINANCIAL COLLAPSE OF 2008. A WOEFUL STORY OF THEIR EMPTY, HALF COMPLETEDED 90,000 SQUARE FOOT PALACE. by Peneflix
A friend of mine states "money does not care who owns it"; Jackie Siegel ("Queen") and husband David Siegel, ("King") reign over the mammoth time-share company, Westgate Resorts. They are the subjects of director Lauren Greenfield's riches to rags scenario; propitious, that Ms. Greenfield in 2007, focuses on the Siegel's because they are constructing the largest private residence in the US. 90,000 square feet; gargantuan and garish replica of Versailles, a seventeenth palace in France...
2008 resonates with massive tales of fortunes lost, lives altered, lessons learned; I found Jackie and David Siegel unsympathetic but even worse, uninteresting...
TWO & 1/2 STARS!!
***For full review visit peneflix (dot) com!!!
4
The Queen of Versailles by hurriphin
Funny, odd, and, embarrassing. Dysfunction in a wealthy way.
3
long by drcaller
i knew what to expect but it was a little too long...