I was interested as the people involved have been part of some the great recent British dramas. Plus, the cast list is quite impressive.
I am a huge fan of Carey Mulligan. Ever since her appearance in my favourite Doctor Who episode 'Blink', she has gone from strength to strength in the cinematic world.
Helena Bonham Carter has become a regular fixture in some major features within the last 30 years. It also has Meryl Streep, who as we all know is a dead cert for any Oscar no matter how short her screen time is.
After seeing it, director Sarah Gavron has certainly packed a punch with this important story in British history. It might not tell the entire story, but it drops us into the early developments that begun a pivotal moment that is still being challenged around the world in other countries today.
The first half of the film goes along at a pleasant pace. However the second half still does the same, but the content instead gets quite emotional and uncomfortable at times.
I was impressed with the way Gavron decide to show the conflict from the outside in the form of Maud Watts who is played by Mulligan. She keeps the drama at an intimate level while still hinting the larger scope of this nationwide movement that becomes a worldwide one.
As you can see, I kind of love Mulligan. She is a great natural talent, seems such a nice person when being interviewed and looks great. Playing the lead in such an important film about women is quite pressurising. Thankfully, she shines in the role and has probably done her best ever role so far.
The supportive roles by Ann-Marie Duff, Helena Bonham Carter and Natalie Press make quite an impact also. As for Streep, it is merely a fleeting cameo. So I don't think even the Oscars will find enough to give her a nomination.
I was also impressed with production and set design. From the very first scene, you really feel the murkiness of London in the early 20th century. Another great positive is the score by Alexandre Deplat who is becoming a well established composer.
The only negative worth mentioning were the time chosen of the movement. I feel that they could have chosen a better time to explain the movement. I feel the big final scene for me should have been in the opening act. That would create a bigger impact and the whole film could go to more brutal and interesting times.
All in all, I would say that it is essential viewing and a great tribute to the women that fought so much for the right to vote which has now paved the way for the feminist movement in the UK. This is quite a rousing film which full of outstanding performances. There are some harrowing moments that I felt were well executed, especially in the big final big set-piece.
It tells the story pretty straight which will make it accessible to many film-goers, and doing that might give a good chance in the awards season.
Rating: 8/10
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