The Beguiled (2017)

The unexpected arrival of a wounded Union soldier at a girls school in Virginia during the American Civil War leads to jealousy and betrayal.

Director:

Sofia Coppola

Writers:

Thomas Cullinan (based on the novel by), Albert Maltz (based on the screenplay by)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

4 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Colin Farrell	...	Corporal McBurney
Nicole Kidman	...	Miss Martha
Kirsten Dunst	...	Edwina
Elle Fanning	...	Alicia
Oona Laurence	...	Amy
Angourie Rice	...	Jane
Addison Riecke	...	Marie
Emma Howard	...	Emily
Wayne Pére	...	Captain
Matt Story	...	Confederate Soldier
Joel Albin	...	Cavalry Man

Storyline

Three years into the American Civil War, in 1864, the dilapidated mansion of Miss Martha Farnsworth's Seminary for Young Ladies is still running, occupied by the matriarch, a teacher and five students in Spanish moss-draped Virginia. However, when a young student stumbles upon Corporal John McBurney, a wounded Union deserter on the verge of death, the already frail balance of things will be disrupted, as the hesitant headmistress decides to take him in to heal from his injury. Little by little, as the unwelcome guest arouses an uneasy sexual excitation among the women of the secluded boarding school, it is not before long that they will find themselves competing for the alluring man's favour. Undoubtedly, this handsome devil is a manipulator, nevertheless, will the ladies stay forever beguiled by his charm?

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Plot Keywords:

amputee | wounded soldier | union soldier | seduction | american civil war | 

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Taglines:

Innocent, until betrayed.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site - Focus Features

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 June 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

El seductor

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$229,292, 25 June 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,576,669

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,871,398, 13 August 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Zoetrope, FR Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This will be Elle Fanning's second film with Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst's fourth collaboration with the director.

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Goofs

During the first dining scene, three out of four students hold their fork with their right hand. It is highly unlikely they would have not been taught that proper table manners demand you hold your fork with your left hand, as it is done by the two adult teachers.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Amy: [finding some mushrooms] Here you go.
John McBurney: [sitting wounded by a tree] Shh. Are you frightened?
Amy: No. Yes.
John McBurney: Uh, so am I.
Amy: Can you move at all?
John McBurney: Uh... Uh, I'll try, if there's some place to go.

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Connections

Remake of The Beguiled (1971)

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Soundtracks

Lorena
Music by J.P. Webster (as Joseph Philbrick Webster)
Lyrics by Henry D.L. Webster

User Reviews

The Beguiled is a yawn-fest. Or, act two is a great time for a nap

Honestly, I can appreciate a slow building drama that takes its time to build characters. Unfortunately, this remake of the film gives us very little in the way of conflict or tension after the setup and introduction of the characters.

There is some decent acting here from the cast, but I found it nearly impossible to see any detail in their faces due to the choice of shooting in very low light or artificially creating the effect in post. While I can't place blame entirely on the film as our local theater may have had issues with their projection system. Still, I prefer to see the expressions in actor's faces, otherwise I might as well be listening to a radio play.

The film could have been a full stop brighter and adding some fill light on the faces still would have allowed the look to be dark and drab as it was apparently intended.

By the time we get to the third act we still aren't rooting for our protagonist and frankly it's not completely clear until the climax that it's supposed to be Kidman's character. The editing is unimpressive.

This remake of "The Beguiled" isn't anything special. I suspect the jurors who awarded Coppola "Cannes Best Director Award" must have not have seen the film. For me it was best summed up by a phrase I overheard by a nearby audience member, "Is that it?". Yes... I'm afraid so.