Monday, June 26, 2017

The Beguiled Movie Review

Nicole Kidman stars in The Beguiled

Christian Charity

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: "The Beguiled" is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls' boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier (Colin Farrell.) As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.


So much for creativity. Coppola's The Beguiled looks better than the original, but it's awfully familiar. Then again, if you've never seen the Clint Eastwood/Geraldine Page version, you're in for a riveting treat. Nicole Kidman welcomes a "most unwelcome visitor" (Farrell) into her all-girls boarding school. What could possibly go wrong? Lucky for us, plenty. The setting is sleepy and (mostly) soundtrack-free, which creates an eerie/effective atmosphere, filled with sexual tensity and uncertainty. Kudos to a stellar female cast (especially the youngest ones) and an always treacherous Farrell; but it would have been nicer to see something new.

Grade: B-