Critics note that while it is a period piece, the film acts as a "scathing indictment of the relationship between journalism, wealth, and power." It makes 1800s Paris feel incredibly relevant to the current era of social media influencers and bought-and-paid-for opinions. IMDb

The film skimps on no detail in its reconstruction of early 19th-century France. Reviewers often compare it favorably to academic cinema that avoids the "vulgarity" sometimes found in Hollywood period pieces, calling it a "ravishing vision" of the period. YouTube Notable Cast and Awards Benjamin Voisin as the ambitious Lucien.

The film portrays a world where everything—and everyone—can be bought. It depicts the cynical birth of modern media, where critics write rave reviews or scathing takedowns based solely on bribes and alliances. YouTube