Sofia Coppola Tackles Sex and the Civil War in “The Beguiled”

When a handsome, wounded Union Soldier — played by Colin Farrell — wanders into a finishing school full of rich and faithful daughters of the Confederacy, there’s bound to be trouble. Director Sofia Coppola adapts the 1966 novel of the same title, employing her signature, languid style as a cast of notable actresses — including Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning — embody characters poised to push one another off their civilized pedestals in pursuit of his affections. The result is a far cry from the 1971 Western starring Clint Eastwood that was adapted from the same source material. THE WORD: Brief and simple, embracing style and mood over story, this may be one of Coppola’s better films — though it still doesn’t quite rise to the level of her best: Lost in Translation. COMING TO: Home Video