Besieged (1998)

75% of critics liked it
(48 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(3,446 ratings)

Bernardo Bertolucci directed this Italian drama co-scripted by Bertolucci and Clare Peploe from a story by British-born writer James Lasdun (co-scripter of Jonathan Nossiter's Sunday). In Rome, reclusive British composer Jason Kinsky (David Thewlis) lives in the building he inherited from his aunt,… More Bernardo Bertolucci directed this Italian drama co-scripted by Bertolucci and Clare Peploe from a story by British-born writer James Lasdun (co-scripter of Jonathan Nossiter's Sunday). In Rome, reclusive British composer Jason Kinsky (David Thewlis) lives in the building he inherited from his aunt, while his cleaning woman Shandurai (Thandie Newton) resides in the basement, studying medicine. One day, Kinsky tells Shandurai that he loves her and will do anything for her, so she asks him to free her husband, a political prisoner back in Africa. To acquire funds for the man's release, Kinsky begins selling his possessions, including his piano, while Shandurai hangs out with her friend Agostino (Claudio Santamaria), a man angling to get her into bed. Location filming took place in Italy and Kenya. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 San Sebastian Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Bernardo Bertolucci
Written By: Bernardo Bertolucci, Clare Peploe, James Lasdun
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: May 21, 1999 Limited
On DVD: Dec 21, 1999
Studio: Fine Line

Critic Reviews

Derek Elley, Variety
Bertolucci and co-writer Clare Peploe seem intent on deconstructing the story's interesting elements at every turn, substituting woolliness for clarity, atmospherics for real emotion and an often condescending, armchair-liberal naivete for real political
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
This is a deeply engrossing, often exquisite film by someone who knows visuals. It's sensory, sensual, handmade.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
What an unexpected gift.
Daniel Mangin, Salon.com
Given Bertolucci's impish leanings, the self-referential sequences may merely be gags. If so, they're among a half-dozen others that backfire.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A film that combines a stunning sensuality with a rigorous economy.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
I look forward to seeing it again, much as I would return to a favorite piece of music.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Made for Italian TV, this modestly scaled, intimate drama about the relationship between a British musician and his African housekeeper is well acted by Thandie Newton and David Thewlis.
Sandra Contreras, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Maddening on many fronts and strangely wordless, Bernardo Bertolucci's purported love story breaks no new ground.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I can't say that I was affected by it much at all.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Bertolucci conjures magic once again.
, Time Out
It's a film about the limits of art, about civilization at this moment of flux, and about a gentle connection between a man and a woman.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Visually creative filmmaking.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
One of the most accessible films to come from Bertolucci and shows the filmmakers deep understanding of his craft.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Despite a vividly expressive performance by Newton, the lack of urgency equates to a lack of intimacy.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
A thinking audience's romance.
Susan Tavernetti, Palo Alto Weekly
An aesthetic treat for art film lovers. Everyone else should stay away.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
A film full of hope, full of heart and full of simple rewards for the audience lucky enough to find it.
Susan Green, Boxoffice Magazine
Bertolucci and co-writer Clare Peploe tell an intimate and painstaking tale that's complemented by exquisitely restrained acting.
Sally Chatsworth, Sight and Sound
Does this allusive, delicate story work? The answer is yes, provided you are sympathetic with what Bertolucci is trying to do.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Steve K

Found the pacing to be a bit too languid.
Mike T

A graceful, visually exquisite piece that (on a second watch) works for me despite its flaws. The languid nature of the narrative is obviously a detractor as far as audience connection goes, but it works to establish an enigmatic presence for both of the main characters. The story has… More
A graceful, visually exquisite piece that (on a second watch) works for me despite its flaws. The languid nature of the narrative is obviously a detractor as far as audience connection goes, but it works to establish an enigmatic presence for both of the main characters. The story has a poetic sensibility that allows us to discard some of our expectations as to what the movie is going to deliver. David Thewlis is brilliant, as always, and Thandie Newton is very strong too. That's saying a lot, since the actors have very little dialogue to establish their performances with. Watch it once, think about it, and then watch it again.
Daisy M

Besieged was an useless combination of political and romantic drama, wandering back and forth between the two leads that never really had reached each other. The movie had an interesting beginning with the imprisonment of Shandurai's husband, but the story gradually fell apart… More
Besieged was an useless combination of political and romantic drama, wandering back and forth between the two leads that never really had reached each other. The movie had an interesting beginning with the imprisonment of Shandurai's husband, but the story gradually fell apart after that. There was no emotional force driving the events in the movie and there was never any satisfying realization of Shandurai's sadness. It was fine performance by Thandie Newton in the lead, but Bertolucci's lack to balance out the two halves of the story, stopped the characters from reaching their full potential, and so we could not seen a fascinating drama. Too bad.

Cast

Thandie Newton
as Shandurai
David Thewlis
as Jason Kinsky
Claudio Santamaria
as Agostino

See full cast

Besieged (1998)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Steve K

Mike T

Daisy M

Cast