The Queen of Versailles

In The Queen of Versailles the Siegel family, who are very rich, are profiled and shown during the 2008 housing market crash. This family is rather large with seven children, many pets, a handful of nannies, and more toys then they need. Right away their ostentatious lifestyle is shown and everything they could possibly have they do. In 2008, when the housing market crashed, the Siegel’s wealth has taken a hit and they are losing money big time. This family who once did not give a second thought about money, is now astonished that  they cannot purchase and enjoy all the things they use to. They can no longer have their private jet, abundant of workers, and $100 million home that they were in the progress of building.

 The mother, Jackie, is seen the most throughout the film. Jackie is a former model and photographs and paintings of her seem to be in every room of their huge home. I first viewed Jackie as a trophy wife to a much older, rich man. Jackie gets whatever she wants and cannot seem to stop spending money, even when their money is tight. However, throughout the movie the viewer begin to see Jackie as more than just a beautiful, rich woman who cannot stop spending. Throughout the film you begin to actually sympathize with Jackie because of the way she is treated by her sexist husband, who objectifies her. Jackie is seen to be really self-conscious and this can be credited to her husband consistently saying he will trade her in for two twenty year old

. You can tell she does love this man, and it is saddening to see the treatment she receives. Although I sympathize for her and see some of the good qualities she has, I still think her lavish lifestyle and compulsive buying is a bit disturbing. She buys items she does not really need and the money to me is wasted. In a country where most of the population is poor and struggling, I cannot feel bad for their family for losing money.

The film was set up to really highlight the gaudy behavior of the wealthy.  It is shown throughout the film how dependent this family is on money and the things it buys. Once the house market crashed and their wealth decreased, this family seems to not be able to function. Their pets are dying, the home is a mess, and they are all walking around as if someone died. It is important to note that they did not become poor. They still lived in their beautiful home, had some help, and continued to buy stuff. I felt worse for their workers and the ones they laid off more anything. I do believe if the film was different my opinion on the family and Jackie may be slightly different. For example, if the scene where the pets were shown dead and where the nanny showed her home in the children’s playhouse were left out, I may feel more sympathy for the Siegel family.

One of the ideas the film maker highlights throughout the film is how the wealthy is extremely reliable on their wealth and shows the negative results this can have. Due to the family losing all their money, they must cut back or at least their version of cutting back. Many of the house staff is let go, and then viewers are shown just how well the family lives without the help. In a scene mentioned before, the film shows the family’s dead animals. The fish are dead and so is their pet lizard. It does not cost much to feed and take care of these animals, yet they die nonetheless. You can also see dog droppings throughout the house, which is a mess and cluttered with junk. I think this scene shows how this family was once on the very top, but are now struggling.