Period dramas centering on European royalty often conjure images of lavish costumes, ornate palaces, and whispered political schemes. While those elements are present in Corsage (2022), this film offers another spin on a theme that Yorgos Lanthimos might be considered the current master of – a portrait of a complex woman chafing against the constraints of her circumstances. In this case, however, the circumstances are those of a gilded cage.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), renowned for her beauty, is approaching her 40th birthday. Feeling increasingly stifled by the rigid expectations of her role and the obsession with maintaining her youthful appearance, she begins to rebel in small but impactful ways. Director Marie Kreutzer takes a decidedly modern approach in her portrayal of Austria's Empress Elisabeth. While the film draws inspiration from history, it doesn't aim for rigid historical accuracy. Instead, it serves as a character study of a woman suffocating within her role, seeking agency in a world that systematically denies it. Vicky Krieps delivers an impossible-to-look-away-from performance as Elisabeth (or Sisi), a woman both celebrated for her beauty and trapped by its fleeting nature.
Turning 40 marks a pivotal moment in the film. For a 19th-century Empress, this milestone holds far more social significance than it might today. The pressure to retreat from the spotlight and transform into a stately figurehead in her husband's empire weighs heavily on Sisi. However, this Empress has a rebellious streak: She acts out her frustration through chain smoking, pursuing vigorous exercise (gasp), and ruthlessly controlling her food intake. More poignantly, she wages war against the corset, that ubiquitous symbol of feminine constriction and societal control.
Kreutzer's direction adds layers to Sisi's complexity. The camera captures her in both flattering and unguarded moments, contrasting with the idealized portraiture we might expect. Subtle anachronistic elements, like a haunting and modern soundtrack, further highlight the timeless nature of Sisi's internal conflict. The film makes the case that the suffocating weight of history falls heaviest on those born into it, especially women.
At its best, Corsage drags us into the psychological toll exacted upon Sisi. She is both admired and objectified, her every move scrutinized. In a world obsessed with appearances, she fights back with desperate and sometimes destructive acts, attempting to reclaim control over her own image and life. Even her visits with the less fortunate, while potentially hinting at compassion, underscore the vast chasm between her gilded existence and the hardship faced by those outside the palace walls.
The film is anchored by Krieps's balance between nuance and audacity, along with Kreutzer's distinct authorial vision. Though Sisi lived over a century ago, her struggle for a sense of autonomy within a restrictive world still feels achingly relevant. A thought-provoking period drama that isn't afraid to challenge conventional tropes, Corsage offers a unique and compelling view of a famous historical figure. A view of a woman battling not visible foes but the invisible confines of societal expectation.
Corsage
Written and Directed by Marie Kreutzer
2022
114 minutes
German
Recommended way to watch (at time of publication): Streaming on Hulu
You’ll like this if you like: The Favourite (2018), Phantom Thread (2017)