BOOK VS MOVIE: The Beguiled

"Something wicked this way comes," proclaims one of the witches in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. And many times in the centuries since the play's first performance, that line resonates with other works. Whether it's with a lone character or the whole premise, we as an audience are fascinated by the dark recesses of our species.

More often than not, such depictions involve the supposed fair sex. Society has expected women to be reserved and composed, not letting one fraction of what they're really feeling to be shown on their face. But when that veneer of civility starts to wear away, that inner ugliness makes its presence known in the harshest ways.

Set during the Civil War, Thomas Cullinan's The Beguiled follows the remaining residents of a Southern boarding school as their usual routines change. As a wounded Union soldier takes refuge within their walls, their reactions are chronicled through the changing perspectives. But how long until the fibers of Southern hospitality begin to fray?

Compressing Cullinan's novel into a film eking past a ninety-minute runtime, Sofia Coppola's adaptation omits a few characters and amps up the sexual tension. (Having Colin Farrell as the lone male of the story makes the latter easy.) That said, however, does that excuse having a story set in the South during the Civil War feature no characters of color? Of course not.

So which is better: Cullinan's novel or Coppola's film? Cullinan is more descriptive in the mindsets of the women whereas Coppola explores their behavior under stress. Both are lurid stories featuring a battle of the sexes amid a far bloodier war. One, however, captures it all much though both have their merits.

What's worth checking out?: The book.

The Bling Ring

We've all felt that way at some point in our lives, haven't we? That aching desire to become famous and recognized. Some people will do anything to get in the spotlight, even if it involves breaking the law.

That is precisely what the protagonists of Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring do. But what exactly do they do? Well, if you're aware of the real "Bling Ring" case from a few years ago, then you'll know of the absolutely audacious robberies they committed. (And I'm not exaggerating when I say "audacious".)

I suppose one driving motive behind the robberies was to be "in" with the Los Angeles lifestyle. And what better way to prove you're "in" that by having a wardrobe that's a who's who of top notch fashion? But being an unemployed middle-class teenager usually means you don't have the money to afford such luxuries, so apparently robbing celebrities is the way to go.

As this film has teenagers, suffice to say there'll be actual teenagers in those roles. (Or at least those in their early twenties.) Of the quintet, there were two that impressed me. The first was Emma Watson, who, between The Perks of Being a Wallflower and this, has come a long way since her days at Hogwarts. And the other is Israel Broussand, playing the not quite willing participant of the robberies. I can sense he'll be around for some time.

All in all, The Bling Ring isn't anything phenomenal or groundbreaking but man, is it wild. Lost in Translation still ranks as my favorite of Coppola's but who knows? It might change on a re-watch or two.

My Rating: ****

The Virgin Suicides

Sofia Coppola is an interesting director. Like her father, she has made an impact on Hollywood with her films. But unlike Francis, her films convey a balance of style and substance, art and reality.

Her debut The Virgin Suicides showcases the gifts she was given. Through faded coloring and natural lighting, Coppola depicts a time when one was at their most unpredictable: the teenage years.

Coppola also shows a common theme that's among her work: loneliness. The Libson girls have essentially sheltered lives, thanks to their parents. Among people their own ages, they rather stay together as a group than be by themselves. Why? They don't know how to talk to other people.

Like her next film Lost in Translation, the leads are bored with their lives and the paths they're going down. They want something different to happen to them, something that's far from their usual mundane lives. They also realize they have to find that life-changing scenario. It's not going to walk right up to them.

The Virgin Suicides is a very good film, but it pales in comparison to Lost in Translation. However, it does shows that Coppola is definitely following in her father's footsteps. It also proves she's a much better director than an "actress".

My Rating: ****1/2

Lost in Translation

Most female directors make romantic comedies. Only a small number of them have made movies that aren't romantic comedies. One of them is Sofia Coppola.

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an actor in Japan making advertisments for a whiskey company. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a recent college gradute whose photographer husband John (Giovanni Ribisi) is always away on assignment. Their paths cross and the story begins.

This is honestly Murray's best performance. He probably would've won too had Sean Penn not gave a hell of a performance in Mystic River. Johansson also gives a good performance. The slow pace throughout gives Lost in Translation a romantic feel. The dialogue is very witty (even if a majority of Murray's dialogue is ad-libbed). I now forgive Coppola for her crappy acting since she makes up by directing a movie that rivals her father's work.

My Rating: *****