Most-quoted character in Farewell, My Queen (2012): in 8 of its 18 quotes
Most scenes with: Versailles, July 14, 1789 (4), Marie Antoinette (3), Nicolas Moreau (3)
What will you read to me?
Sidonie Laborde I thought Bossuet's funeral eulogies of Maria-Theresa of Austria.
Oh no! How bleak! That poor woman was bored all her life. You know what she said when she died? "Ever since I was the Queen, I had only one happy day in my life!" And nobody knows which day it was. Give me something that is… a bit frivolous.
Sidonie Laborde Marie-Antoinette prefers dresses over books.
Sidonie Laborde I understand why the Queen spends hours looking at her fabrics. It makes her forget that she's the Queen.
Honorine I never forget who I am.
Sidonie Laborde They cheered for the King.
They cheered because he spoke standing and without his hat. They didn't cheer for the King, but for just another citizen.
Sidonie Laborde You know what hurts me most? The hostility towards the Queen.
I know your fervor for for Marie Antoinette.
Sidonie Laborde Not at all. I'm only her maidservant. What do I say? Maidservant for the books of Her Majesty's library. There is no fervor to this.
So young… and already blind. Your love for the Queen makes you judge her capricious behavior with too much indulgence. Gabrielle de Polignac is an illusion which will cost her dearly… And she's not yet finished paying for it.
You know what I find so charming about you, Sidonie? It's not so much the beauty of your facial lines. It's rather the youth that you radiate all the time.
Sidonie Laborde But Your Majesty, you're so young…
I was. I have a question.
Sidonie Laborde I will answer all of Her Majesty's questions as far as I'm able to.
Did you ever feel attracted to a woman… to the point of… suffering terribly when she's not there? I can spend hours imagining her… with my eyes closed: the shape of her face, the softness of her skin, the cheerful glow of her eyes…
Sidonie Laborde I guess I know who you're talking about. I envy her for being the object of such intimate friendship.
Until the point… that in miserable times I only think of her absence.
Sidonie Laborde It depends on you…
Unfortunately not. Gabrielle de Polignac isn't one of those persons who can easily be seduced. I was captivated
when I saw her at Trianon. She felt at home. She went in and out as if she had always lived there. She was never lead by the intention to please me. I like that kind of freedom. You may wonder why she's not here although I'm craving so much for her presence. I, the Queen of France. The answer to that question scares me. I have to recognize that… I am her prisoner. It's been two hours since I asked Madame Campan to call for her. Gabrielle let her know that she's angry. But what is she angry about? What have I done to put her off?
Sidonie Laborde May I try what Madame Campan wasn't able to do? I will find better words to convince her. I know the right words. They're from the books that I read.
Try it then, and we will see.
What we will you do?
Sidonie Laborde I'll stay with the Queen as long as necessary.
This prospect… seems to fulfill you.
Sidonie Laborde I can't imagine my life's condition if the Queen would leave Versailles. And you, Monsieur Moreau?
I… Until my hour of death, I'll take notes.
Let's talk about your future.
Sidonie Laborde My future is where you are, Madame.
Exactly not. Soon there will be a carriage leaving for Switzerland. You'll be going with it. Don't look like that! Two days ago you told me you'd be ready to make any voyage for me. I grant you this privilege. You will escape together with the Duke and the Duchess De Polignac. Gabrielle is too famous and unfairly criticized. Without the disguise she'd risk her life. She will disguise as a maid and you will put on her dress. In case the carriage gets stopped, I want her to get away.
Sidonie Laborde In a way, Majesty, you ask me to be the bait.
A very ugly word from such pretty mouth!
Sidonie Laborde Words are everything I have. I know how to use them.
Don't be so arrogant when I give you the chance to win my favour! Yesterday I confessed my love for Gabrielle to you. Because you deserve it. Has any queen ever shared such intimacy with their reader? … Take off your clothes! Take off your clothes! … Sidonie! Tell Gabrielle… that I will never forget her.
