The Queen of Versailles (2012, dir. Lauren Greenfield) ***.5/****

This documentary by Lauren Greenfield follows the lives of a billionaire family who are constructing a home, larger than the White House, based on Versailles.  The financial crisis takes its toll on the family and they must abandon the construction of the house.  The film details their struggle in an often humourous sometimes sad manner.  The film is a comment on the decadence of the privileged classes and how they take their riches for granted.  The film deals with the relationship between the various family members and how they deal with the stress of the financial crisis.  A great documentary and a fascinating look into the American dream and its negative side.