Suffragette (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
Viewed from 2015, it's hard to imagine a time when women were denied the right to vote. But that time was closer to us than you think. For Great Britain, it was 1912. Their fight for the right to vote is the narrative thrust of 'Suffragette', an almost too-earnest historical drama directed by Sarah Gavron & written by Abi Morgan). In 1912, after 50 yrs. of peaceful protest, the militant Women's Social & Political Union in London encouraged/mobilized women to practice acts of civil disobedience, endangering property ... but never human life. Life isn't easy for Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) in 1912, London. Like her mother before her, she labors in a dangerous, hot laundry shop, trying to avoid both industry accidents & a lustful employer. She has a loving husband, Sonny (Ben Whishaw), & a sweet little boy, George (adorable Adam Michael Dodd), but she can't help feeling that life should have more to offer than it does.
After witnessing a street skirmish, Maud is increasingly drawn to a group of outspoken suffragettes -- including her lively co-worker Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff), a spirited local pharmacist who has committed to militant activism, Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter), the zealous Emily (Natalie Press), upper-class leader Alice Houghton (Romola Garai), & the founder of the WSPU, Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep, in a 3 min. cameo). Inspired by Emmeline's "It is deeds, not words, that will get us the vote" speech, the women find themselves doing increasingly daring, even violent things to draw attention to their passion for women's equality/right to vote. But Maud would have to sacrifice & suffer MANY consequences in order to achieve her goals. Spotted by the police, Maud becomes persecuted by Insp. Arthur Steed (Brendan Gleeson) & his cohorts, causing her & her immediate family immense distress; particularly after she is brutally imprisoned. Drama ensues.
The film's end credits shows us a series of shocking statistics on when various countries around the world actually granted women's voting rights -- thought provoking, for sure. 'Suffragette' opened my eyes to what life was like for women before the actions of those like Pankhurst, the fictional Maud, et al turned the tide towards equality. It's also unfathomable to realize that, in addition to being denied the vote until 1918, Brit women also didn't have ANY legal rights over their children until the mid-20s (a fact that underscores one of this movie's most devastating scenes). After having watched this film, it's impossible not to sympathize with & praise these women their desperate convictions. On the technical side of things, I also appreciate the 1910s production values, costumes, & score. And the performances are all excellent, headlined by Carey Mulligan's feisty turn as the working-class mom who transforms from a meek young woman into a tough-as-nails radical suffragette.
Howwwwever, while I admire a lot IN 'Suffragette', for me, the experience should have felt both richer & sharper. Aimed to be super inspiring, I felt it missed the mark; due mostly, I think, to a schematic narrative flow & thin characterizations -- each character felt like well-performed 'types', not real human beings. Furthermore, filmed with gritty, atmospheric authenticity, the film also depresses. Much of the proceedings were shot in soft focus with grey/brown hues that I found insufferably dreary. In other words, well-meaning and all, if the plot points are depressing (emotional anguish), and what you're looking AT for 100 minutes is depressing ... then you're likely going to feel 'down' throughout. I also feel that the film's 'speaking out against injustice' theme is clouded when highlighting how violence & self-sacrifice aren't always the right answers, either. See this film for Mulligan's ferocious turn & for the gravitas of the subject matter ... just don't expect to be floored.
After witnessing a street skirmish, Maud is increasingly drawn to a group of outspoken suffragettes -- including her lively co-worker Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff), a spirited local pharmacist who has committed to militant activism, Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter), the zealous Emily (Natalie Press), upper-class leader Alice Houghton (Romola Garai), & the founder of the WSPU, Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep, in a 3 min. cameo). Inspired by Emmeline's "It is deeds, not words, that will get us the vote" speech, the women find themselves doing increasingly daring, even violent things to draw attention to their passion for women's equality/right to vote. But Maud would have to sacrifice & suffer MANY consequences in order to achieve her goals. Spotted by the police, Maud becomes persecuted by Insp. Arthur Steed (Brendan Gleeson) & his cohorts, causing her & her immediate family immense distress; particularly after she is brutally imprisoned. Drama ensues.
The film's end credits shows us a series of shocking statistics on when various countries around the world actually granted women's voting rights -- thought provoking, for sure. 'Suffragette' opened my eyes to what life was like for women before the actions of those like Pankhurst, the fictional Maud, et al turned the tide towards equality. It's also unfathomable to realize that, in addition to being denied the vote until 1918, Brit women also didn't have ANY legal rights over their children until the mid-20s (a fact that underscores one of this movie's most devastating scenes). After having watched this film, it's impossible not to sympathize with & praise these women their desperate convictions. On the technical side of things, I also appreciate the 1910s production values, costumes, & score. And the performances are all excellent, headlined by Carey Mulligan's feisty turn as the working-class mom who transforms from a meek young woman into a tough-as-nails radical suffragette.
Howwwwever, while I admire a lot IN 'Suffragette', for me, the experience should have felt both richer & sharper. Aimed to be super inspiring, I felt it missed the mark; due mostly, I think, to a schematic narrative flow & thin characterizations -- each character felt like well-performed 'types', not real human beings. Furthermore, filmed with gritty, atmospheric authenticity, the film also depresses. Much of the proceedings were shot in soft focus with grey/brown hues that I found insufferably dreary. In other words, well-meaning and all, if the plot points are depressing (emotional anguish), and what you're looking AT for 100 minutes is depressing ... then you're likely going to feel 'down' throughout. I also feel that the film's 'speaking out against injustice' theme is clouded when highlighting how violence & self-sacrifice aren't always the right answers, either. See this film for Mulligan's ferocious turn & for the gravitas of the subject matter ... just don't expect to be floored.