The American Dream is classified as rising above what you started with. The Queen of Versailles is a documentary about living life on a pedestal and shows what the American Dream is all about. It also shows us how the American Dream can easily be turned into a nightmare. The documentary follows billionaire David Siegel, 74, his significantly younger wife, Jaqueline Siegel, and their eight kids (one of which was inherited). David owns the largest privately owned timeshare company in the world, and the fruit of his labor is very obvious. He and his family have private jets, yachts, a big house, multiple nannies and help, many pets, and an excessive amount of clothes and personal belongings. On top of it all, the couple is building what turns out to be the largest home in America. It's modeled after the palace in Versailles and it is 90,000 square feet. When asked why David wanted to build it, he says, "Because I can." Lorraine Barrett, a real estate agent, claims that "it's the jewel of the United States."
During interviews, David immediately gives the impression that he is one of the most important people in the world and that his way of life is the most sensible one. When talking about lower- class people, he explains that, "If they don't want to feel rich, then they're probably dead." But not everyone in the household feels this way. Jonquil, their inherited daughter, came into the family from nothing. She says, "There's nothing normal about rich life." She brought reality to the family and humbled them. She says she doesn't want to be spoiled. Jacqueline also came from nothing, growing up in New York in a three bedroom one bathroom home. But she has embraced the royal-like lifestyle. She first met David through people in her modeling career, and she claims that they have a great relationship.
In 2008, the stock market crashed, and chaos ensued. Alan Greenspan said it was a "once in a century financial crisis." The Siegels were no exception to being affected by this disaster. Since the company, as David says, was built on cheap money (money from banks), the company quickly went into debt and the banks did not relent. Jaqueline says, "I almost feel like the bankers are like vultures, like circling around waiting for the animal to die instead of helping out the situation." The family had to make major cutbacks on shopping, sell most of their assets such as their jets and yachts. David says that "I'm a victim of my own success, or failures."
What this documentary does well is depict this family as the royals they feel like. David is instantly shown as the self- righteous "king," and his wife is immediately pictured as the trophy wife. However, as the movie progresses, it can be seen that the real victim in the relationship is in fact Jaqueline. One of their own children claims that he only married her for her looks and to show her off. Jaqueline genuinely loves him and believes that they are in love. He obviously has more interest in his business and success than in her. He even says in an interview that he doesn't draw any strength from their marriage during the hard times. The documentary also does a good job of showing how each of the members of the family is affected, as well as everyone involved in the timeshare company. The documentary shows that an economical crisis can affect anyone, even the once-financially sound.
Although the documentary does show different aspects of the results of the crisis, the movie tends to jump around a little too much. The documentary shifts from focuses on the Siegels, then to families outside of the Siegels, and then back to the Siegels. The viewer expects that the main point of the movie is going to be how the Siegels are affected, not how everyone else is. However, even with the shifting focal points, the documentary still shows the issue at hand in a very real light.
In conclusion, the documentary is worth watching. Even though at times the interviews and scenes are comical, the flaws and faults of humans are revealed throughout the movie. People are attracted to money and success, even at the risk of failure. The documentary tracks the process of the Siegels coping in a new lifestyle, and it shows that relying too much on one thing can be the end if things go south. Not one person is safe from anything. Unfortunately, the feeling of being invincible is another human flaw, and The Queen of Versailles shows us that invincible is simply something we're not.
During interviews, David immediately gives the impression that he is one of the most important people in the world and that his way of life is the most sensible one. When talking about lower- class people, he explains that, "If they don't want to feel rich, then they're probably dead." But not everyone in the household feels this way. Jonquil, their inherited daughter, came into the family from nothing. She says, "There's nothing normal about rich life." She brought reality to the family and humbled them. She says she doesn't want to be spoiled. Jacqueline also came from nothing, growing up in New York in a three bedroom one bathroom home. But she has embraced the royal-like lifestyle. She first met David through people in her modeling career, and she claims that they have a great relationship.
In 2008, the stock market crashed, and chaos ensued. Alan Greenspan said it was a "once in a century financial crisis." The Siegels were no exception to being affected by this disaster. Since the company, as David says, was built on cheap money (money from banks), the company quickly went into debt and the banks did not relent. Jaqueline says, "I almost feel like the bankers are like vultures, like circling around waiting for the animal to die instead of helping out the situation." The family had to make major cutbacks on shopping, sell most of their assets such as their jets and yachts. David says that "I'm a victim of my own success, or failures."
What this documentary does well is depict this family as the royals they feel like. David is instantly shown as the self- righteous "king," and his wife is immediately pictured as the trophy wife. However, as the movie progresses, it can be seen that the real victim in the relationship is in fact Jaqueline. One of their own children claims that he only married her for her looks and to show her off. Jaqueline genuinely loves him and believes that they are in love. He obviously has more interest in his business and success than in her. He even says in an interview that he doesn't draw any strength from their marriage during the hard times. The documentary also does a good job of showing how each of the members of the family is affected, as well as everyone involved in the timeshare company. The documentary shows that an economical crisis can affect anyone, even the once-financially sound.
Although the documentary does show different aspects of the results of the crisis, the movie tends to jump around a little too much. The documentary shifts from focuses on the Siegels, then to families outside of the Siegels, and then back to the Siegels. The viewer expects that the main point of the movie is going to be how the Siegels are affected, not how everyone else is. However, even with the shifting focal points, the documentary still shows the issue at hand in a very real light.
In conclusion, the documentary is worth watching. Even though at times the interviews and scenes are comical, the flaws and faults of humans are revealed throughout the movie. People are attracted to money and success, even at the risk of failure. The documentary tracks the process of the Siegels coping in a new lifestyle, and it shows that relying too much on one thing can be the end if things go south. Not one person is safe from anything. Unfortunately, the feeling of being invincible is another human flaw, and The Queen of Versailles shows us that invincible is simply something we're not.