Besieged (1998)

does she or doesn't she?
What a lovely movie. I was enchanted by the gorgeous music throughtout the movie. The two main actors are perfect in their roles. The movie moves at just the right pace, from slow resentment to full love. Masterful!
but how I hate a hanging ending!!!!! She never says she "loves" her husband only that she respects him, whereas she writes "Ilove you" to david Thewlis. But then, she gets out of bed. Conclusion? Up in the air. Satisfied? NO!

"Not Again", right?
I know, I know. Thandie Newton has been cast in a role that seems all too familiar. I don't even need to go into it; you know what I'm talking about. Looking past that, I must admit that she does it well every time though. And her performance in "Besieged" may very well be her best. It's a classic love story that's not exactly what you might surmise by looking at the DVD's cover. For some reason, the price of this DVD has remained rather high. I would recommend shopping around for a good deal. But if you have to go with the high price, it will be worth every dollar.

A cinematic triumph!
This is the rarest of all modern films, a MOTION PICTURE. It tells its story in image and facial expression, not in words. There is little dialogue; what sounds we hear are mostly music (the form of communication between the two leads) and ambient sounds, such as street noises.

This is another rare film in which the viewer (this viewer, anyway) can't imagine anyone else playing the leads. Newton (as Shandurai) and Thewlis (as Mr. Kinsky) fit into their roles so well, you believe them completely. There is never a false move in the entire film. Their growing relationship is defined largely by Kinsky's successful attempts to communicate with Shandurai with his piano, his most beloved possession.

The film explores motivation and honesty in an entirely new and refreshing way, leaving the viewer riveted to the screen, never taking the easy way out. What happens at the end? I'd like to think I know what will happen, but Bertolucci leaves it open-ended.