The Beguiled Movie Review

The Beguiled is a film based on a film based on a novel.Ā  The previous film is from 1971 and starred Clint Eastwood.Ā  I haven’t seen the original but it is definitely in my plans for summer watching after seeing writer/director Sofia Coppola’s take on Thomas P. Cullinan’s written work.Ā  Before getting into the film, I’d like to mention that I’m glad it was made.Ā  Not only am I happy to re-enter the world of 70’s classics but this is another film that solidifies the reemergence of three of its stars careers, not to mention the director’s, as well.Ā  The Beguiled earned Coppola some praise from Cannes this year which means more films from her for me to watch; pretty well always a good thing.Ā  I had all but given up on Kirsten Dunst.Ā  She has worked throughout the years, but she needed a film to introduce her as a grown up and this seems to be that film.Ā  Nicole Kidman is always good but I want more of her.Ā  She has this innate ability to weave in and out of characters and makes them completely believable; she’s flawless.Ā  I applaud her work and with Lion and this, I believe she should be considered the new Streep.Ā  Work more, woman!Ā  Colin Farrell hasn’t been in much either but he seems to be choosing parts very selectively, of late.Ā  His roles seem to be more developed. Ā With The Lobster, the best work he’s done in my opinion, and this, I think we’ll see him continue to play in the arena with the big boys.Ā 

Now that I’ve let you know you won’t be disappointed in the cast, let me tell you a bit more about the film itself.Ā  The Beguiled is set during the Civil War.Ā  It’s the story of a Union soldier in the south, John McBurney (Farrell), who after being wounded badly in the leg, is found by a kind little girl who gets him help.Ā  She takes him to her all-female boarding school.Ā  The school is being run by two women, headmistress Martha Farnsworth (Kidman) and a teacher by the name of Edwina Dabney (Dunst).Ā  They’re not too excited about a wicked man from the north being in their school but they are women of God and decide the Christian thing to do is to help him.Ā  Luckily Martha is good with a sewing needle.

The ages of the girls in the school range from around 10 to late teens, Alicia, (Fanning) being the oldest.Ā  The girls aren’t around men and are all aflutter when one so good looking is in their midst.Ā  Some aren’t happy that he’s a yank and want to hand him over to the soldiers on their side but still are smitten.Ā  This is incredibly delightful to watch play out.Ā  I was ecstatic that the film was directed by a woman because Coppola really plays to her female audience with the way the girls fawn over him.Ā  As he’s on the mend, each parades into his room to entertain him in every way they can think of.Ā  They pay more attention to their wardrobes, too, as they fall in love with their charge.Ā  It’s obvious to John, Martha and Edwina that the girls are batting their eyes quite a bit.Ā  While watching some of these scenes, you’re propelled back to a time when you felt the flush of love in your young cheeks.Ā  It’s adorable.Ā  Martha and Edwina have also noticed his lovely face, very friendly character and that he’s in terrific shape; makeup and jewelry become the order of the day.

John is aware that the women are in need of company and begins to take advantage of that fact.Ā  They entertain him in many ways as he plays to their affections.Ā  Sexual tension builds which brings out the comedic aspect of the film but also many dark elements as it, in many ways, gets to the heart of humankind.Ā  This being the case, you have a very well paced, well written, incredibly well-acted film that Coppola may consider her best to date.Ā  Each girl is very accomplished for her age, plays to her strength and is genuine in her role, particularly Rice whom I believe is the best find since her co-star Fanning.

This is a see this weekend.Ā  Take a wee small break from the summer actions or you’ll never forgive yourself.Ā  This movie deserves your attention.Ā  Okay, could the movie have ended better?Ā  Yes.Ā  It was so good but the ending does have some degree of disappointment, however, it’s quality work from awe-inspiring talent and you will not walk away unsatisfied.Ā 
*Limited release in NY and LA today; nationaly release on June 30th!Ā 

The Beguiled – Trailer

Focus Features will release THE BEGUILED in select cities on June 23, 2017,

expanding to more theaters on June 30, 2017

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Acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola brings you a seductive thriller starringĀ Colin Farrell,Ā Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning.

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For more info, please follow the film on social:

Official Site I Facebook I Twitter I Instagram

#TheBeguiled

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In Theaters June 30

http://www.fandango.com

The-Magnificent-Seven-Poster

The Magnificent Seven

Pity the poor remake. So many people think that the remake is never as good as the original. But in this case the very first original was ā€˜The Seven Samurai’, then remade as ā€˜The Magnificent Seven’ in 1960. And now comes along a new take on the old Western story, with new a new cast and a fresh look.

As the Civil War has ended, a little town in Northern California is overrun by a mean-spirited land baron named Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard). The people of Rose Creek sit between him and a lot gold in the local hills. Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), whose husband was shot in cold blood by Bogue, finds and hires a protector.

She meets up with Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), a bounty hunter. He knows of Bogue and has had his own troubles with him. Chisolm finds a small group of hired guns to help him fight the wicked army of thugs that Bogue will bring to town.

These include Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), a gambler; Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke) who is a sharpshooter and his partner Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), an expert with knives. Also in the group is Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), a bear of a mountain man and a tracker: Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a Mexican outlaw, and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier), a Comanche Indian.

Once these seven men come into town, they meet up with local sheriff and a group of Bogue’s men. There are over twenty thugs to take on the much smaller group. After a tense stand-off, there is major gunfight in the town streets. The Chisolm group survives and comes out on top.

But there will be a much bigger battle that is yet to come. The Seven all fortify the town and train the local townsfolk to take up arms and fight the good fight. Bogue has much bigger plans in mind, with a huge group of ornery thugs and much more sophisticated weapons at hand.

The group of Seven and the people of the town are ready for the fight of their lives. And for some of them, it will be the last day of their lives. But all of them, led by Chisolm are ready to stick it out and not surrender…

With a large ensemble cast, it can be tough to get a very precise idea of every character. But Denzel Washington has such a calm and soothing presence, he can make you believe that anything is possible. Chris Pratt does his comic relief best, being a funny character with a very good aim and a love of the bottle. Ethan Hawke does a terrific job with a Civil War Confederate rifleman who has seen one too many battles.

Everyone else is also very good in the roles they play, with each having a key scene or two that give their character a better depth. Some of the have a lack of times, this limits how well the audience gets to know them.

A few of the choices are a tiny bit off the mark, such as the voice used by Vincent D’Onofrio as Jack Horne. It is high-pitched and squeaky for such a big bear of a man. Also, the costuming for Haley Bennett seems a little too much Victoria’s Secret for a plain wife of a rancher.

But these are tiny little issues compared to the beauty of the background scenery, the wonderfully stirring score (the final work by James Horner), and the fantastic action sequences in the gunfight scenes and the final battle in the town.

This might not be your father’s ā€˜Magnificent Seven’, but you can depend on these guys for a rollicking good time…