Seberg - A Movie Review

One mind at a time. Patience causes unity.

Seberg is a 2019 film based on the life of French new wave icon, Jean Seberg. In the late 1960s, Seberg is targeted by the Hoover FBI because of her political and romantic involvement with civil rights activist, Hakim Jamal.

I put Seberg on my watch list for its actors. I didn’t realize until after the film that it was based on a true story. The film delves into the life of Jean Seberg, attempting to capture the paranoia she faced in the 1960s. While the actors do great on their parts, more characterization among secondary characters and subplots could have been developed.

Kristen Stewart has amazed audiences with her incredible range and authentic portrayal of characters. I didn’t know anything about Jean Seberg before watching. Seberg is an important historical figure. Stewart highlights Seberg’s emotional and daring charisma. Stewart was ready to embark on this journey, determined to bring justice to the tragic icon.

Seberg has a cast of well-known actors. The first actor to mention is Vince Vaughn. Playing Carl Kowalski, he is an agent who tracks Seberg’s every move. Carl is not tolerant of others' ideas, particularly race. My opinions on Vaughn have changed immensely. Vaughn can accomplish surprising ranges, embodying this character's cold nature.

The film also stars Margaret Qualley, another talented actress. Her story needed to be expanded more. Lynette Solomon is studying to be a doctor, a job that was a rarity for a woman in the 1960s. This storyline is underdeveloped and doesn’t explore the character’s backstory.

Lynette and her husband, Jack Solomon (Jack O’Connell) disagree about her decision and busy studies. If writers were trying to implement a subplot, there needed to be a better focus and storyline. Jean and Lynette have two contrasting storylines which could have been two different films.

This film has a strong cast of actors including Anthony Mackie, Colm Meaney, Zazie Beetz, Stephen Root, and Yvan Attal. Each actor does an excellent job, especially Mackie who performs a profound monologue.

Seberg is based on real events. Viewers need to look up Jean Seberg’s story If they don’t know about her. She fought for others' rights, including women and black voices. The film touches on significant themes such as government overreach, the invasion of privacy, and the impact of political activism.

Movies transport audiences back to different periods. Seberg takes place in the 1960s. This was a bold era. Costume Designer, Michael Wilkinson studied clothing to match the film’s 60s aesthetic. Wilkinson created extravagant clothes, especially for Stewart, replicating different eras. In total, she appears in 28 costumes!

The cinematography by Rachel Morrison is a standout in figuring out what lens to use. The color noticeably deteriorates becoming drained.

Director Benedict Andrews was drawn to the story of Seberg and the collapse of her private life. However, most dramatized events did not fully explore their implications. The narrative unfolds slowly, detracting from the tension and urgency of the story. The result is a film that, while informative, sometimes feels superficial in its examination of its weighty themes.

The film didn’t focus on the right parts, fabricating most story elements. It’s not that exciting either. Maybe it’s because political stories don’t heed my interest, but the film lacked depth. Historical films need to take depth into complex subject matters.

The main reason why I watched Seberg was for Kristen Stewart’s performance who doesn’t disappoint. The film is worth a watch for any history fans who are interested in learning about Jean Seberg’s life.