What was originally conceived as an examination of how the other, other half live - that's to say, the super, super rich - becomes something quite different indeed once the financial crisis hits and billionaire time-share magnate David Siegel and trophy wife Jackie end up having to consider a future that might not be so prosperous. In the middle of building the largest house in America - a replica of Versailles - funding begins to run dry, and it appears that their project may never be complete. What we get here is a very different look at the American dream - distorted to represent extreme excess - and that no matter how rich or poor you are, the financial crisis has heavy implications, essentially forcing everyone into a lower mode of living, even if their lesser lifestyle would still seem idyllic to most of us. Though we sympathise with the pair (and their countless children) to an extent, there's an undeniable pleasure in watching their needless excess be punished, bringing them down several pegs as we watch David squirm while trying to get his financial particulars together. The film is fair, though; while the Siegels are eccentric, larger-than-life personalities who have no idea how regular people live, they're not exactly arrogant or brash either - they have a certain charm that also makes us root for them somewhat. Balancing its aspirations perfectly, this is an insightful, funny, resonant film about how the financial crisis affects everyone. The Queen of Versailles is released on DVD-Blu-Ray January 28th, 2013.