Beautiful Creatures

Writer/Director Richard LaGravenese’s Beautiful Creatures is a beautiful supernatural love story that should appeal to teens and romantics 20 to 80+.

The current-day action takes place in a small South Carolina town, but the breadth of the story stretches back to the Civil War.

 

 

I was ready to pan the young, male lead Alden Ehrenreich as a casting mistake based on the initial few minutes of the film, but within another ten he won me over and I think he was perfect for the part of the home town boy, aching to leave small-town life as soon as possible, as was Alice Anglert as the young woman of 15, who dreaded what might be her destiny when she reached 16.

 

The story covers many themes from fate versus free will to the power of magic, all of which seem to be a bit too much for the minds of some critics, but let me assure you this is a richly threaded and unique story, wonderfully photographed by Philippe Rousselot and splendidly designed by Richard Sherman. 

Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum and Emma Thompson back up the young stars with fine and fun performances, as does the rest of the fine cast.

 

I give Beautiful Creatures a 4 out of 5 for those who believe in the power of love.

 I hope that, if there is a sequel, the same production team is used so it keeps the same magical feel and look.