Review of The Beguiled (2017) by Wayne K — 09 Nov 2017

Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled is a gorgeous Civil War drama that examines a carefully established and meticulously maintained dynamic being shaken to its core by the introduction of an unforeseen external factor.

It's like a commentary on the animal world where a species is introduced into a foreign ecosystem and wreaks havoc on its inhabitants, which is exactly what Colin Farrell does. The pacing is steady but never boring, and the talented cast turn in sensitive, mature performances.

Farrell exudes a natural charm and his inherent charisma makes it easy to see why the ladies would be drawn to him. It could be said that the film carries misogynistic undertones, since the behaviour of the women becomes sculpted round the choices and opinions of the sole male presence.

I saw it as a story of an outsider throwing a tight-knit group into disarray with his mere presence. Some of the choices the characters make in the later stages are pretty nonsensical and common sense starts to fly out the window, but the whole thing is just too good to dismiss, and represents a director/screenwriter in full control and proceeding with confidence and dexterity.

It might not be to everyone's taste, and has the potential to offend those who don't take kindly to its themes, but it's richly textured, beautiful to look at and gets you thinking. Any admirer of Coppola works should definitely consider watching it.