Written by: Thomas Cullinan (based on the novel by), Albert Maltz and Irene Kamp (based on the screenplay by), Sofia Coppola (screenplay by)
Directed by: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning
Rated: R
Plot
The unexpected arrival of a wounded Union soldier at a small girls' school in the United States South during the American Civil War creates jealousy among the students as they compete for his affection.
Verdict
This does a great job of creating tension, from sexual tension to the question of what happens next. What is this soldier's end goal, and what havoc will he wreak on his way? The performances are solid though Kidman is underutilized. The ending takes a twist nd you're left wondering, who was this guy.
Watch it.
Review
He's not just a Union soldier in the south, he's also a man at an all girl's school. He's a curiosity as all the girls are eager to help his convalescence. Kidman plays the head mistress with Dunst as the lone teacher Edwina. It's not just the students, but even the teacher begins to dress a little fancier.
It's clear the soldier is an expert manipulator. I get the students falling for him quite easily, but it seemed odd the teacher falls into his manipulations. Maybe it's just feelings developed by caring for him, but the issue of him being a deserter or spy isn't really considered. There are a few moments when the Confederate army is near or in the house to compound the rampant sexual tension.
You wonder what he's up to. He must have an angle and he is playing everyone. He confesses his love to one of the house's inhabitants which seemed like a huge jump and an obvious ploy. If you thought that was a jump, just wait. He's a kid in a candy store, that store is an all girl's school.
Things get crazy and we get a soldier with an entirely different demeanor. Is he acting different due to stress or is this who he really is. this maintained an incredible amount of tension, but when it broke, it broke hard.
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