Synopsis

Empress Elizabeth of Austria is idolized for her beauty and renowned for inspiring fashion trends. But in 1877, ‘Sissi’ celebrates her 40th birthday and must fight to maintain her public image by lacing her corset tighter and tighter. While Elizabeth’s role has been reduced against her wishes to purely performative, her hunger for knowledge and zest for life makes her more and more restless in Vienna. She travels to England and Bavaria, visiting former lovers and old friends, seeking the excitement and purpose of her youth. With a future of strictly ceremonial duties laid out in front of her, Elizabeth rebels against the hyperbolized image of herself and comes up with a plan to protect her legacy.

Critics Views

“Full of odd glitches and deliberate flubs in period detail, the film feels like an invitation into a secret conspiracy to reach back through time and, with deft, irreverent 21st-century fingers, loosen the stays on Empress Elisabeth’s corsetry just a little.” Variety

“ Ultimately, Corsage is a deeply sympathetic portrait of Elisabeth, enhanced by Krieps’ delightful performance.” The Wrap

“ Corsage succeeds precisely by ditching the myth of objectivity in favor of portraying a woman eternalized by the glory and dolor of her imperfections.” The Playlist

“ Kreutzer employs a variety of subtle anachronisms – servants wearing modern glasses, a concrete wall here and there – to allow herself and Krieps the freedom to introduce a modern sensibility that sticks a middle finger up at the polished production design of most films of this genre as casually as Elisabeth does at the decorum of her courtly life” Cinevue

“ In many ways this is a study in anger, and it is an austere and angular picture. Krieps gives an exhilaratingly fierce, uningratiating performance.” The Guardian

Awards

Cannes 2022

[Winner]
Un Certain Regard – Best Performance (Vicky Krieps)
Jointly awarded. Tied with Adam Bessa for Harka (2022).

[Nominee]
Un Certain Regard Award (Marie Kreutzer)

BAFTA 2023

[Nominee]
Best Film Not in the English Language

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 76%  Audience 66%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 86%   Audience Liked It 75%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 56%

Audience Comments

Such a shame as it was such an interesting and pivotal moment of history
Too long.
Good in parts but slow and boring in other parts
Many engaging features and sumptuous filming and locations. But overall failed to catch light for me.
Beautiful and provoking
Appreciate the director’s viewpoint in the making of the film but, personally, I felt a little historical input would not have gone amiss.
Moments of insight, wit and beauty but overall boring and indulgent.
Historical fiction with Empress as modern creation and sensibility. Production interesting but Several scenes artificial eg suicide and some references eg to heroin doubtful. Well played but lacked depth
Beautifully filmed and excellent performance from Vicky Krieps though found the story a little episodic and not very coherent. Enjoyable nonetheless.
An extremely beautiful film. The photography was outstanding throughout the film and it was a welcome change to allow the viewer to have time to form their own opinions as the scenes were never rushed. A little spoilt at the end by having Sissi commit suicide when she was actually assassinated. Her life was well captured.
Couldn’t really engage with the characters. The scenes didn’t seem to be connected to give some kind of narrative. Very disappointing.