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These days, it’s pretty common for celebrities to speak out about their political views. But that wasn’t always the case. And Seberg tells the story of one young actress who took a very public stand and found herself followed, bugged, and threatened as a result.
Seberg stars Kristen Stewart as Jean Seberg, a young actress who leaves her husband and son behind in Paris in May of 1968 to return to Los Angeles. On the flight home, she meets Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie), a civil rights activist who’s attracted the attention of the FBI for his troubled past and his connection to the Black Panther Party. When they begin both a professional and a personal relationship, Jean ends up a target, too, under constant surveillance by Agent Jack Solomon (Jack O’Connell). And she becomes more and more fearful that she’s being watched.
As Jean travels from Paris to Hollywood to New York in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the drama and allure of her movie star life definitely make for a cool and stylish film. The production design is striking, transporting viewers back to a glamorous time in Hollywood and a tumultuous time in history.
Jean Seberg’s story was not supposed to play out like this. A pretty girl from Iowa, she was supposed to be America’s sweetheart. But instead of following the advice of those managing her career, she makes the choice to stand up for what she believes and go her own way. Admittedly, not all of her decisions are wise ones, but her desire to do something important with her place in the spotlight—to be a part of something bigger—is admirable. And the way in which the FBI chose to fight back—by bugging her home, following her every move, and purposely spreading lies about her to destroy her reputation and her credibility—is appalling. As the FBI closes in, the film feels almost claustrophobic—and, though her choices may have been impulsive, you can’t help but feel sorry for this young and well-meaning character.
Still, despite a compelling performance by Stewart and a distressing real-life story, Seberg feels rather distant and detached, the characters never fully developed. Despite the terrible treatment of this actress, the true threat never really comes through. And, in the end, it falls short of the gripping thriller that it sets out to be.
Seberg tells a stylish story about a celebrity who wanted to be a part of something important. But, in today’s climate, her story doesn’t feel as compelling or as shocking as it may have been at the time—and the result is an interesting but rather unremarkable drama.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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