Review of The Beguiled (2017) by Ash F — 29 Jun 2017

I actually disliked the Clint Eastwood version of this film in the past.

But this one is a departure from the book and also from the slow-eyed machoistic appraisals Mr Eastwood did of every female in the movie. This is far more fairly tale like, far more intricate and cinematography is exquisite. And there is a hint of menace under the surface but things come close to exploding but almost, almost never do. A Yankee Corporal thrown midst Southern genteel women and teenage girls, and the scene is ripe for the turmoil. There are subtle markers, and you can read into them. Ms Coppola does so well to show female vulnerable angst associated with desire but at the same time, intertwined oddly as it is with manipulation.

However, I was left with a half done, a lot unsaid and incomplete feeling... but perhaps that was the aim.