Seberg Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A famous actress donates money to the Black Panthers and the FBI gets really, really mad and starts some light trolling that totally doesn’t destroy her life… or does it?

🍿 Seberg: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Jean Seberg

The film introduces Jean Seberg (Kristen Stewart), a celebrated actress known for her role in ‘Breathless.’ It is the late 1960s, and she returns to the United States, where she becomes increasingly involved in the Civil Rights movement. Her growing interest attracts the attention of the FBI.

FBI Surveillance Begins

After a chance encounter and subsequent involvement with civil rights activist Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie) and the Black Panther Party, Seberg becomes a target of the FBI’s COINTELPRO program. Agents Jack Solomon (Jack O’Connell) and Carl Kowalski (Vince Vaughn) are tasked with monitoring her activities.

Escalating Harassment and Paranoia

As the FBI’s surveillance intensifies, Seberg’s life spirals out of control. She experiences increasing paranoia, believing she’s being watched and followed. The FBI’s tactics include wiretapping, spreading false information about her, and attempting to discredit her in the public eye.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jean Seberg (Kristen Stewart): A famous actress who becomes a target of the FBI due to her political and romantic involvement with a civil rights activist.
• Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie): A civil rights activist who becomes romantically involved with Jean Seberg, drawing the attention of the FBI.
• Jack Solomon (Jack O’Connell): An FBI agent who grapples with the morality of the agency’s tactics against Jean Seberg.
• Carl Kowalski (Vince Vaughn): A seasoned FBI agent and Jack Solomon’s partner who is more zealous in his pursuit of Seberg.
• Romain Gary (Yvan Attal): Jean Seberg’s husband, a novelist and filmmaker, who tries to support her amidst the FBI’s scrutiny.
• Linette Solomon (Margaret Qualley): Jack Solomon’s wife, a medical student, who grapples with the ethical implications of her husband’s work.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jean Seberg: “This country is at war with itself.” – This quote encapsulates Seberg’s disillusionment with the social and political climate of the United States during the Civil Rights Movement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13 million
• Domestic Gross: $434,702
• Worldwide Gross: $655,178

💥 Seberg Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Seberg’ wanting to know more about Jean and her activism, and while I learned some things, I mostly felt sad. Stewart’s portrayal is captivating; you can see the slow breakdown under the pressure. The dinner scene at the Kowalski’s house was incredibly awkward and showed the divide in America at that time. Overall, it’s a decent watch, but don’t expect a feel-good movie – it’s a tragedy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Kristen Stewart”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas about the Civil Rights era”
  • “Those fascinated by stories of government surveillance and abuse of power”
  • “Audiences who enjoy biopics, even with fictionalized elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Disturbing themes of government surveillance and harassment”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “While Kristen Stewart delivers a compelling performance, the film struggles to balance Seberg’s story with that of the FBI agents, diluting the impact of her tragic experiences. The stylish production design effectively captures the era, but the narrative feels somewhat unfocused.
• Variety: “Seberg is most compelling when it focuses on the psychological toll of the FBI’s surveillance on Jean, showcasing Kristen Stewart’s ability to convey vulnerability and paranoia. However, the film’s attempts to portray the complexities of the era and the Black Panther movement feel somewhat superficial.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Kristen Stewart shines in the title role, capturing Seberg’s charisma and fragility. The film raises important questions about government overreach and the price of activism, but ultimately falls short of fully exploring the nuances of its subject matter.

Audience Reactions

Kristen Stewart gave a compelling performance as Jean Seberg, capturing her vulnerability and descent into paranoia.: Stewart’s performance and the film’s exploration of government surveillance were praised, but some found the story uneven.

The movie exposes how the FBI abuses their power.: The historical accuracy of the FBI tactics was shocking, and the costumes/scene setting was done well.

Overall Consensus: Seberg is a watchable biopic with a strong lead performance by Kristen Stewart, but it ultimately suffers from an unfocused narrative and a lack of depth in its exploration of complex themes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film explores the real-life targeting of Jean Seberg by the FBI’s COINTELPRO program due to her involvement with the Black Panther Party.”
• “Kristen Stewart’s performance aimed to capture Seberg’s vulnerability and paranoia as she became a target of government surveillance.”
• “The film highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by some FBI agents involved in the surveillance operation.”
• “The filmmakers recreated the look and feel of the late 1960s through set design, costumes, and filming techniques.”

🖥️ How to Watch Seberg?

Seberg is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Seberg, you might like these similar films:

• The Lives of Others (2006): Explores similar themes of government surveillance and its impact on individuals, set in East Germany during the Cold War.
• All the President’s Men (1976): Deals with the uncovering of a major political scandal and the role of government agencies, similar to the FBI’s actions in Seberg’s case.
• Malcolm X (1992): Explores racial inequality and the civil rights movement in America, providing a broader context for Seberg’s activism.

🛒 Seberg Related Products

• Jean Seberg: Actress, Activist, Icon: Dive deep into the life of Jean Seberg with this comprehensive biography. Explore her film career, activism, and the events leading to her tragic end. Gain a deeper understanding of the woman behind the headlines.
• Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History: Explore the history of the Black Panther Party with this graphic novel. Learn about their goals, their struggles, and their impact on the civil rights movement. A visually engaging way to understand the era.
• 1960s Fashion: A Decade of Style: Relive the iconic fashion of the 1960s with this stylish book. Explore the trends, designers, and cultural influences that shaped the decade’s look. Perfect for those inspired by the film’s costume design.
• COINTELPRO: The FBI’s Secret War: Examine the inner workings of the FBI program that caused the destruction of Jean Seberg. Learn how the FBI abused their power by spying on the black panther party and other human rights activists.

🎧 Soundtrack

Seberg features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Call Me and I’ll Be Happy” – performed by The Teardrops

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What caused the FBI FUELED SAD ENDING to CLINT EASTWOOD’S co-star JEAN SEBERG in PAINT YOUR WAGON?

Ever wonder what really happened to Jean Seberg? This video explores the controversial theory that the FBI played a role in her tragic end, giving you a deeper understanding of the forces at play behind the scenes. It is pretty shocking!

Anthony Mackie’s Crush on ‘Seberg’ Co-Star Kristen Stewart & Their On-Screen Chemistry | TIFF

Want to know what Kristen Stewart and Anthony Mackie thought about working on ‘Seberg’? Check out this interview from TIFF where they discuss their characters and the film’s themes. Apparently Anthony Mackie has a crush on Kristen Stewart!

The Tragic Story of Jean Seberg

Curious about the real Jean Seberg? This video dives into her life story, from her rise to fame to the heartbreaking events that led to her untimely death. It’s a compelling look at a fascinating and ultimately tragic figure.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2OD10oHLDU

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