This movie was crying out for the Peter Weir touch. Where was the sense of foreboding? The women/girls not only suppressed their emotions, they suppressed them from us too! The perpetual semi-darkness made for a very bleak house without any relief. Dark, murky interiors. I wished those candles cast more light! The back-lit window lighting became a distraction. And the colourless look of the film. Too many short scenes. Faces actually talking together rarely shown. Seemed to be only when it was consciously important. With such a powerhouse cast, film lacked a gothic sexual edge. What a great Australian movie this would have been with Weir directing and Kidman and Naomi Watts playing the leads (they could choose which part they wanted!). If you've seen Picnic At Hanging Rock you'll know what I'm talking about. And it too was set in a "girls academy." Special mention to Colin Farrell who really has a thankless role but shines. This film is probably worth more than I'm giving it but my disappointment in what could have been has to be registered! Worth a watch in order to come to your own conclusion.
Review of The Beguiled
