I cannot quite describe the genre of this movie. But Imma gonna go with psychological thriller.
In the mid-1800's America in the south, we are seeing 2 adult women and a bunch of girls living in a large bungalow in the middle of nowhere with the house pretty much unmaintained.
With the war, many had seen/experienced death and loss. Taking shelter in the relatively safe bungalow that appears to be protected by Confederate soldiers of that time. It is later revealed that the bungalow had served as a school for girls and the adult women (performed by the mesmerizing Nicole Kidman and the very versatile Kirsten Dunst) were the teachers. Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman) owns the house.
Living isolated in a large bungalow, just hoping you won't be attacked by the enemies can pull all kinds of loopy in one's psyche.
That until a very handsome Yankee mercenary (the absolutely gorgeous Colin Farrell) finds himself on the grounds of the bungalow, and is stumbled upon by one of the girls while she was out collecting walnuts/mushrooms.
Fearing him but was quickly taken in by the Corporal's charming ways: the young girl escorts him to the bungalow.
The girls are quite excited by the change that the Corporal brings, but the women are rightfully guarded. The family "matriarch" absolutely does not want him but bound by her strong sense of Christian charity, decides to nurse him back to health.
The audience then bear witness to different interactions between the each of the girls/women with the handsome soldier.
He was treated with the greatest hospitality and in turn was very grateful by offering to help around the house even with the bad leg.
The oldest girl (Elle Fanning) finds herself welcoming this corporal and he provides her with the emotional validation that a growing girl often seeks: that she is a desirable sexual being. With the rest of the younger girls, he assumes the role of friendly uncle and supportive brother in order to win their affections. With the quietly suffering Edwina (Kirsten Dunst), he played the role of an understanding man with the promise of giving her something more than life.
Basically he's a chameleon that is able to take on various personas as the situation sees fit.
The characters are brilliantly performed. You understand them, you feel them and you can definitely empathize with them. They were all so human.
But all of it was very wrong.
It was a situation where you are served with a deliciously cooked puffer fish but only doom awaits you if you eat it, you get what I'm trying to say?
I am surprised this movie didn't get more recognition or notice. It's very enjoyable, engaging and very well made. I honestly cannot find any flaws in this movie. I didn't even notice the time passing by I was so enthralled by everyone's performance.
I would highly recommend this movie. Once you're settled in for your Friday movie night in your comfiest pyjamas, hot cocoa and futon, give this movie a chance.
10/10.
