Review of The Beguiled (1971) by Johnathon W — 13 Apr 2017

Perhaps its closest sister is Alfred Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt," in the sense of how both films' ingredients cause you to dislike the character in hand. The movie was director Don Siegel's favorite of all his films, and I can see why. On a cinematic scale, it's his finest achievement apart from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." It was a departure from Siegel's crowd-pleasing formula, which is the main reason he is often criticized.

Yesterday I watched Picnic at Hanging Rock, which I think is what the film should have been more like. There is certainly a lot to love here: the core of the movie is a pure, solid masterpiece. Unfortunately it is overpowered by Easwood's silky line delivery. The dialogue is often intentionally cringe-worthy. It is there to emphasize Eastwood's unlikable flirtation with the women. The direction textures this with a genuine taste of sexual hysteria.

Overall, the film is a blend of "Shadow of A Doubt" and "Black Narcissus" with a bit of "Through A Glass Darkly" and "The Innocents" thrown in for good measure.