We have Hilary Swank, Jonathan Pryce and Christopher Walken. She is a French countess in the 18th century (with an American accent) and is having a great influence on Marie Antoinette. She needs the advice of a gigolo and the protection of a cardinal. The intrigue is not very original, but just in case you don't understand, you get to be reminded with continual flashbacks of the countess's traumatic childhood. The countess thinks of a little scam to steal a valuable necklace so that she can buy her childhood property. And she gets caught.

But imagine, a French court filled with English actors? Brian Cox seems more at home as a royal fixer who stands on the right hand of the throne and controls everything. Jonathan Pryce is the cardinal, who lusts after anyone in a crinoline. For an ex-James Bond villain, it can't be bad.

The gigolo teaches the countess about the ways of the court and how to get what you want. Money and sex are, of course, relevant tools for achieving goals. But just when you think that this costume drama has ended, Christopher Walken jumps in as a mysterious East European alchemist. Very convenient!

The story of the diamond necklace is confusing. The royal jewellers cannot persuade the queen to buy the thing and so, with the help of forged royal letters, the countess manages to con the cardinal. But Hilary Swank poses beautifully in front of the mirror. And even the log fires are obviously a gas. At least, Marie Antoinette doesn't mention cake. Against all odds, Hilary Swank radiates elegance as Comtesse Jeanne de la Mott-Valois, and Joely Richardson is the best thing in the cast. The most significant actor is creepy Christopher Walken, who radiates his unique weirdness.

But for all its attempts to show intrigue, there's nothing much behind this overly intricate affair.

The Affair of the Necklace, directed by Charles Shyer, 2001.