Directed by: Andy Tennant
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Richard O'Brien, Patrick Godfrey
Revealing mistake: Just before Marguerite tastes the chocolate Henry gives her, in the shot of the group walking past a pen of geese, the modern, flat, white soled shoes (likely canvas sneakers) the sisters are wearing are visible as they walk. (00:51:00)
Prince Henry: I have been born to privilege, and with that comes specific obligations.
Leonardo da Vinci: Horseshit.
Trivia: When Danielle is with Gustave in his painter's studio, just as Gustave says, "Five days in the stocks," there's a painting of a noblewoman on the easel beside them; the noblewoman left her gown and jewelry at the studio for the painter to consult while completing her portrait, and it is that noblewoman's gown Danielle borrows to impersonate a courtier. Then, while Danielle is at the royal court quoting Utopia to Henry, right after she says, "but that you first make thieves and then punish them," in the next shot, the older noblewoman at the center is the one from the portrait; she's played by Amanda Walker, the wife of Patrick Godfrey who plays Leonardo, also in this scene. Amanda was to have a line in this scene (in the goldenrod script version), commenting on Danielle's gown being identical to her own, but that line was cut. (00:21:45 - 00:29:20)
Question: According to the Baroness, Henry was planning to choose Marguerite as his bride before Danielle arrived at the ball. If it's true, why does he almost marry the Spanish princess instead of Marguerite?
Answer: The Baroness says, "I have it on good authority," about Henry almost choosing Marguerite. Her source could be wrong, but if it's true, he was probably so upset about Danielle deceiving him that he wanted nothing to do with anyone from her home anymore. Especially if Marguerite planned to bring Danielle and other servants to the palace with her. Danielle might have hoped to stay at her father's property and manage the place herself, but Marguerite could probably arrange for her to work in the palace.
Answer: Henry was to be betrothed to Princess Gabriella of Spain, though he did not love her. When Henry's father said he could choose his own bride, the Baroness then lied to Danielle, saying the Prince intended to choose Marguerite, and also falsely told the Prince that Danielle was already engaged, all to put Marguerite into a prominent position to be chosen. After discovering the Baroness' deception, Henry would not have chosen Marguerite. Henry would still have married Princess Gabriella, but after learning she loved another, he freed her from their engagement. He later chose Danielle.
No offence, but this is not answering the question. You're re-hashing half the plot.
Answer: Rodmilla is an untrustworthy source of information. Rodmilla arrogantly tells Danielle, "I have it on good authority that before your rather embarrassing debut, the prince was about to choose Marguerite to be his bride." I believe Rodmilla is lying to Danielle only to further torment her. Rodmilla plunges the figurative knife into Danielle by declaring her a "pebble in her shoe" step-daughter, before she's taken away by the repulsive Le Pieu. When Henry made the deal with his father, he was given the choice of finding "love" or to marry Spain's Princess due to the marriage treaty. Right before the ball, Henry in despair, thinks he failed at finding love, and King Francis tells him it may have been unfair to put so much pressure on him about Spain's marriage contract. Francis says, "We don't have to announce anything tonight," and Henry replies, "I've made my decision." Their conversation implies Henry agreed to marry the Princess of Spain, and the announcement was to be made at the ball.
Super Grover ★