Suffragette (2015)

Genre

Drama | History

Director

Sarah Gavron

Country

UK

Cast

Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Meryl Streep, Natalie Press, Anne-Marie Duff, Romola Garai, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Samuel West, Adrian Schiller

Storyline

The fictional story of Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan), a working wife and mother whose life is forever changed when she is secretly recruited to join the U.K.'s growing suffragette movement. 

Opinion

Respect for the cause does not always guarantee respect for the film, and this film is one of those cases. I really wanted to like this film, but it is nothing special. 

Indeed "Suffragette" is a solid drama but does not live up to the incredible true story and does not fulfill its potential.

For a very long time we have naively imagined suffragettes like a group of middle class women drinking tea and marching in their white blouses adorned with flowers. Sarah Gavron shows them for what they really were, that is an "army" of working women ready to sabotage their cities, to break windows and to place bombs.

This is without a doubt a really important story that needed to be told, but somehow they did not manage to bring true emotions to the audience, and the result is a film that fails to engage and does not allow you to connect with most of the characters.

Abi Morgan's screenplay ("Shame", "The Iron Lady") lacks depth, has flat characters, and is further spoiled by clichés, stupid plot devices, and a pointless subplot - the molesting boss belonged in a different film entirely.

However, the costumes and scenery are wonderful, and the acting is great. Carey Mulligan does an exceptional job as Maud Watts, and she is supported by strong performances from both Helena Bonham Carter and Anne-Marie Duff. Brendan Gleeson is particularly watchable as the Police Inspector and Meryl Streep makes a great cameo as Emily Pankhurst.

A must-watch if equal rights are important to you, but don't expect a masterpiece. 

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Emmeline Pankhurst: I would rather be a rebel than a slave.