 |
| The Queen of Versailles |
The 2008 financial crisis was the worst since the infamous
Great Depression of 1929, the one that ended both fortunes and lives. Florida billionaires David and Jackie Siegel found
themselves impacted by the most recent as they began construction on their massive
90,000 square foot home. If completed,
it would be the largest private residence in the United States. It is titled, appropriately enough, “ Versailles.” The ironies in this tale are just beginning.
Documentarian Lauren Greenfield was given free access to
chronicle the lives of the Siegel’s at the apex of their wealth. She incidentally caught them at the near total
collapse of it. In what could be the
perfect storm for a film maker, Greenfields timing provides a fascinating view
of the lives of the super rich, and it is not a particularly appealing one.
It all begins like a fable.
It all turns out like the American Dream pumped on steroids.
David Siegel became a
billionaire tycoon in the world of vacation timeshares. Offering luxurious suites to those that could
least afford it, he amassed an enormous real-estate empire in the process. Just as his fortunes improved, so has the opulence
of his lifestyle.
Dissatisfied with his current residence, and feeling
squeezed by the possessions currently filling his current home, Siegel decided
to construct a home that is in part inspired by the pleasure palace of King
Louis XIV and a Vegas Hotel. It is peculiar
mixture of high culture meeting American crassness.
 |
| The unfinished American Versailles |
Not unlike the gargantuan Xanadu of Citizen Kane, Siegel and
his wife have collected assorted furnishings in mass, including five million dollars’
worth of marble, to create a home that includes every amenity possible. As both a monument to economic success, it is
also a drain on the Siegel’s fortunes in
that the cost is becoming more stratospheric with the passage of time. In addition, the Siegel’s building in Las
Vegas is also placing considerable strain on his resources.
It becomes clear that the Siegels lose whatever shields they
may have had and reveal far more of themselves then they may have wished. Subsequently they sued Director Greenfield.
What makes this documentary fascinating is the lack of
awareness the Siegels have regarding what they are attempting with the home of
their dreams, or even the toll it is taking on a family cracking at the seams from
the stress.
 |
| The American version of Aristocracy |
David Siegel ultimately blames his circumstances on banks
offering easy money. The blame game
manages to take all responsibly away from the himself as he paints himself a
victim. It never occurs to him that his own avarice could be the culprit. The assumption Siegel made, along with many
others, is that cash will always flow freely.
When unlimited spending meets deregulated banking, the results are inevitably
catastrophic.
While neither Siegel comes off as aware that their own hunger
for excess is the cause of their
difficulty, they fail to see that their very consumption is wrecking the lives of
their family. The children, who seem to be more warehoused than actually
raised, are left to navigate the world on their own with little help, aside
from a group of hired nannies.
Of the two Siegels, Jackie does seem to have degree of
empathy for those suffering when the business winds up leaving hundreds without
work. When a relative is in dire need of a home, Jackie Segel opens her own. Jackie does have that redeeming quality. Her husband, on the other hand, resembles
every cliché possible regarding the cold hearted businessman more obsessed with
money, things and beautiful young women than family or even love. His self-centeredness is as epic as his
ultimate dream home. And it is all put painfully on open display.
 |
| The American Dream, from rags to flamboyant riches |
Queen of Versailles makes its points not in mocking its
subjects. It does not have to do that.
The subjects of this film do an excellent job of revealing their vanity,
entitlement and obliviousness to reality.
This documentary is not simply a cautionary tale, nor is it
a condemnation. It is a well-crafted
film that subtly states that a life of pleasure and self-indulgence on a grand
scale can mean the loss of not only a sense of reality, but a sense of humanity
as well.
Comments
Post a Comment