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Oct 23, 2015 · Directed by Sarah Gavron and written by Abi Morgan, “Suffragette” makes it look like because one (fictional) woman (Carey Mulligan) testified about her hardships to future Secretary of State for War Lloyd George, the suffrage movement experienced a depth-charge of commitment. In reality, the movement was a fractious and divided affair (and ...
- Reds
The movie never succeeds in convincing us that the feuds...
- Reds
Oct 22, 2015 · “Suffragette,” directed by Sarah Gavron from a screenplay by Abi Morgan, could easily have fallen into this kind of trap. The specific battle it chronicles — for the right of women to vote ...
- Sarah Gavron
In early 20th-century Britain, the growing suffragette movement forever changes the life of working wife and mother Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan).
- (223)
- Sarah Gavron
- PG-13
- Carey Mulligan
Oct 8, 2015 · Suffragette sets out to tell the story of the ‘footsoldiers’ of the women’s suffrage movement. Director Sarah Gavon and writer Abi Morgan have therefore made the refreshing decision to avoid a more traditional focus on the famous Pankhurst family and the numerous well-dressed ladies who swelled the ranks of the Women’s Social and ...
- Women's rights film touts and delivers "Deeds, not words."
- Verdict
By Max Nicholson
Updated: Nov 24, 2018 7:03 pm
Posted: Oct 22, 2015 8:15 pm
As a period story, Suffragette effectively recounts the harrowing women's suffrage movement of early-20th century Britain, where women were locked away and tortured for demanding equal rights. As a current piece of filmmaking, the female-starring, female-written and female-directed drama couldn't come at a better time, as the conversation of gender imbalance in Hollywood and abroad reaches a crescendo in our own modern society.
Directed by Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane), the film follows Maud Watts (played by Carey Mulligan), a fictitious laundry worker and housewife whose life is forever changed when she secretly joins the growing suffragette movement. Partnered with real-life activists Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter), Emily Davison (Natalie Press) and others, Maud rallies against increasingly aggressive police forces led by Detective Steed (Brendan Gleeson) -- much to the chagrin of Maud's husband Sonny (Ben Wishaw). Soon, Maud must decide if fighting for her rights is worth being disgraced by her friends and family, as well as putting her own life at risk.
Suffragette's greatest asset is Mulligan, who delivers a subtle yet powerful performance as Maud. Playing the audience surrogate, her character starts out as a soft-spoken pushover, but she gradually transforms into one of the movement's foremost pioneers. As a result, Suffragette can sometimes feel like it's systematically "ticking boxes," so to speak -- that is, making sure Maud is on the periphery of every major protest and rally of the time. However, it speaks to Abi Morgan's script that almost all the major set pieces -- excluding the climax, unfortunately -- are anchored by Maud and her personal struggle.
Suffragette successfully captures the hardship and bravery of the British women's suffrage movement, while also showcasing a wonderful performance from Carey Mulligan. Technically, it's skillfully written and directed, boasting appealing visuals and a strong character arc. While the film sometimes feels methodical in its approach, its heart and mes...
- Max Nicholson
Suffragette: Directed by Sarah Gavron. With Anne-Marie Duff, Grace Stottor, Geoff Bell, Carey Mulligan. In 1912 London, a young working mother is galvanized into radical political activism supporting the right for women to vote, and is willing to meet violence with violence to achieve this end.
Telling the story of the brave British women who fought for their right to vote, Suffragette is an absolutely superb and thrilling historical drama made by women, about women and for...
