MOVIE PREVIEW: THE BEGUILED (2017)
TITLE: THE BEGUILED
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Sofia Coppola adapted from Thomas Cullinan’s novel.
CAST: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Oona Laurence, Angourie Rice, Emma Howard, Addison Riecke
RELEASE DATE (UK): 14 JULY 2017
GENRE: Thriller, Suspense
PITCH: 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. 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.
FIVE REASONS THIS COULD BE GOOD!
- It’s directed by Sofia Coppola who has — with her earlier films The Virgin Suicides (1999) and Lost in Translation (2003) marked herself as a very talented filmmaker, progressive on building character and atmosphere within her work.
- Award winning actors Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell lead the cast as do some very talented younger actresses such as Elle Fanning.
- It’s an intriguing remake/reimagining of Thomas Cullinan’s gothic novel originally made in 1971 by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood.
- The Civil War setting is interestingly explored as the film promises to be more than a war film but rather contain subtle battles of gender and sexual tension; relying on performance, atmosphere and characterization.
- Cinematographer Phillipe Le Sourd produced some amazing work on The Grandmaster (2013) for Wong Kar Wei and his lighting talent should add to the compelling nature of the story.
The Cinema Fix presents: 
Sofia Coppola’s involvement has me excited too. Judging from the trailer (which gives away too much of the plot, eek), this remake actually looks better than the Eastwood original!
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Yes, the original, while a very interesting Western was potentially seedy and exploitative whereas this could be more complex hopefully.
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Big fan of Elle Fanning. Excited!
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I love your optimism!
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Ha-ha! Coppola’s due a return to form and if Kidman doesn’t finally evaporate, her Dunst and Farrell could make it work. Dunst was especially brilliant in season 2 Fargo!
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I have seen the trailer (which I regret I did) looks none the less enthralling enough for me to be excited for such a movie. It’s been awhile since I had watched a movie like this. There’s been far too many superhero movies that have taken the limelight for my liking.
I do wish I had read the original novel it’s based on but I’m also anticipating watching the 1971 movie as July is quite some while away.
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The original is actually very interesting compared to Eastwood’s more Alpha-male Westerns. I’m hoping it’s got good atmosphere and complex dramatic character tensions.
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This looks really unusual but enthralling. Recently got a copy of the Eastwood version to watch.
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Yes, it’s a more cerebral and mysterious Western compared to the usual gunslinging genre films. Worth a watch!
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It looks very Gothic and as you said cerebral than the average westerns, even a bit disturbing. Will watch it and review it.
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Oh yes, I will also be interested in what Sofia Coppola has done and how it differs from the Siegel/Eastwood film.
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I concur with that. Be sure to look out for my review.
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Absolutely !
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And by the way did I mention, I have another blog besides my movie one?
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Oh yes, what’s that? I recall you mentioning some pieces on erotica but that’s not my thing really. Was it that?
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Yes that was it, my erotica site. But I understand it isn’t for everyone.
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