Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

The Beguiled Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 10, 2017

Sofia Coppola's resumé does not read like those of the most prolific of today's filmmakers, certainly not in terms of volume, but it's populated by several wonderful films, exquisitely crafted character pictures that shun visual and aural excess --save where appropriate -- in favor of sophistication and character depth. Films like Lost in Translation and the more showy Marie Antoinette have withstood the test of time as career highlights, high end examples of her skill as both director and screenwriter. Her latest film, The Beguiled, is a remake of a 1971 film of the same name and based on a novel by Thomas P. Cullinan first published in 1966.The Beguiled marks what is perhaps Coppola's most intimate film, one that's slow to build towards a dark finale.

In 1864 Virginia, several years into the American Civil War, a Union soldier, Corporal John McBurney (Collin Farrell), is discovered away from the distant battle and taken to a school where only its headmistress, Miss Farnsworth (Nicole Kidman); a teacher, Miss Edwina Morrow (Kirsten Dunst); and five female students of varying ages remain. Though he wears the uniform of the North, the Southern women decide to care for him, tend to his wounds, and only when he is recovered decide his fate, to let him loose or turn him over to the Confederacy. As he stays, the girls grow accustomed to his presence and begin vying for his heart. But with only one of him and seven ladies, some are bound to be hurt if he must choose amongst them.

The Beguiled is a film that demands patience of its audience. Its slow-burn approach to storytelling, its moody and dark atmosphere, jolts of light humor and burgeoning romance all pave the way towards a much more nightmarish finale. Coppola uses the word "gothic" to describe the film, an apt adjective that brings to mind something a little different in terms of broad structure but certainly fitting considering the film's pervasively dark visuals and approach towards a nightmarish conclusion. The film builds gradually, luring the audience into a comfort zone that is not gradually, but rather suddenly, shattered. Even the tension that one might expect to find with a wounded Union soldier in the care of a handful of distinctly Southern ladies is never a point of serious contention and only a point that occasionally works its way into the narrative, mostly on two different occasions when passing Confederate soldiers stop by the house. But it's never the uniform or the geography that propels the story. It's instead the human component, the compassion, some mistrust, but empathy and grace for the wounded and gratitude for the caretakers. Coppola's ability to so finely construct the narrative, ease tension, and lull the viewer into a sense of total security -- even through the film's pervasive physical darkness -- is a masterstroke of narrative and cinematic composition that suddenly gives way to the film's horrific final act.

The film's core narrative drive is complimented by not only Coppola's and Cinematographer Philippe Le Sourd's (The Grandmaster) steady and unobtrusive but very telling and even haunting photography and cinematic construction but also the film's precision production design and captivating performances. The film boasts stunning location photography and master craft costume design, both of which don't simply convey a place and time but help define characters and play against the film's mood and visual and thematic contrasts. Performances are fantastic. Even as Colin Farrell spends much of the film lying in bed, driving the action even from a stationary position as life at the house is turned upside down by his mere presence, he commands the character with a sense of purpose even in his initial helplessness and gradual healing. His relationship with the girls -- somewhat antagonistic, at times, with Miss Farnsworth, more romantic with Miss Morrow, and increasingly friendly with the students -- is key to the narrative ebbs and flows, and Farrell rightly plays it close to the vest for much of the first two acts. All of the characters undergo radical transformations throughout (with the arguable exception of the most steady of them, Miss Farnsworth), and he in particular as the realities of his wound, his place in the school, his fear of returning to battle, and the turn towards the end of the film all challenge Farrell to create a complex character, wounded in more ways than one, whose battle is far from over even away from the war and in the care of women who come to see him as more than a man in need of medical help and shelter. Kidman is wonderful as the steady Miss Farnsworth, critical particularly in the film's final moments, and Dunst shines as the young teacher and McBurney's seemingly most intense love interest.

The Beguiled Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Beguiled is a rare treat in the digital age, a new release shot on film. It was even finished at 4K, and while Universal has chosen not to release a UHD at this time, the 1080p Blu-ray nevertheless carries the film nicely. Detail is very good, and even through the movie's many darkened and low-light interiors it's easy to see and enjoy good textural abundance on period attire, woods around the house, and trinkets throughout. Exteriors offer naturally complex vegetation. Colors are held in reserve by the movie's nature. Outdoors scenes revel enough green saturation to please, and some modestly colorful accents are nicely vibrant within the movie's visual contexts and confines. Black levels, critical the experience, hold very deep and true. Skin tones appear accurate. A couple of blink-and-miss pops and speckles are evident, but the image appears free of any other source of encode distortions.

The Beguiled Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Beguiled's sound needs are rather modest, and Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers exactly what the movie demands of it. The track's most prominent element, beyond dialogue, is natural atmospherics. Outdoor scenes are swarming with insect buzzes and hums; the sense of location immersion and authenticity is tangible, and the track makes fine use of all speakers at its disposal to create a rich environment. Additionally, the sounds of battle, generally distant thuds, are nicely integrated as well, with a bit more location-specific placement as the battle takes place in one direction away from the central scene. A few crashes and thuds -- notably during a scene that marks the end of the second act -- delivers enough thump and depth to please. Dialogue propels the vast majority of the film, however, and it never disappoints in terms of clarity or positioning.

The Beguiled Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of The Beguiled contains two featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

• A Shift in Perspective (1080p, 6:53): A discussion of the movie's structure and story, Sofia Coppola's direction, the female-centric perspective, cast and characters, life on the set, and more.
• A Southern Style (1080p, 5:40): This piece focuses on production design as it accentuates the film's tone, shooting locations, costumes, actor preparations for the film, and hair and makeup.

The Beguiled Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Beguiled ranks amongst the best within Sophia Coppola's increasingly memorable body of work. It's a wonderful film of mood, performance, narrative quality, and acting. The film is sublime in its construction and the emotional reaction to it varied as it progresses. It's a rewarding experience that's well worth the 90-plus minutes. Universal's Blu-ray features quality video and audio. Supplements are limited to a pair of brief featurettes. Recommended.