Les Proies

Sofia Coppola's capacity to create beautiful shots in incredible settings, and capture actors' specific beauty is unquestionable. Finding depth in her characters is a different story. A new take on a old tale, the actors in the Beguiled fail to get us to actually care about any of them and, as a consequence, their fate in the story.

There's no way to watch this film without remembering the power of the original Don Siegel 1971 version. And this very poor remake has none of the original's draw or intrigue. It's almost completely pointless in every respect and feels like a mere box-ticking exercise. Avoid this and watch the superior original instead.

First, two dimensional performances by everyone. 2. No sexual tension between Kidman and Farrell 3.No suppressed sexuality in the younger cast members which the earlier film was notable for 4. Photography consists of oaks, with dripping moss, mist and slanting sun or moonlight, again and again

There are very few remakes that are better than the original. 3:10 to Yuma is the only one that comes to mind. This remake adds nothing and loses much of the original's feelings of intrigue. The ending is worse, as well. Don't bother - just watch the real movie with Clint Eastwood.

This film does have a distinct visual appeal to it, as well as overall solid performances. However, the underlying tension that Coppola I think was going for doesn't really materialize. Instead the viewer is left with feelings of frustration because we know what we're supposed to be feeling, or what we think we should, but the director just can't make it happen. In part this is due to her going for style in place of substance, when these need not be mutually exclusive.