FilmSnobReviews

Title: Suffragette
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sarah Gavron
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Anne-Marie Duff, Helena Bonham Carter
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

What It Is: In the early 20th-century woman in England still did not have the right to vote. Laws and regulations that directly affected them were ones they had no say in creating. This, of course, upset the female race of the time and lead to a revolt by them. This movement is lead by Mrs. Pankhurst (Meryl Streep) but it is Edith Ellyn (Bonham Carter) and her band of ladies that convince Maud Watts (Mulligan) to join the fight despite what it could potentially cost her.

What We Think: There’s a lot to like and a lot that needs working on with this period piece. First of all, the 1910s is a period I really don’t think gets the play it deserves in cinema. From an acting standpoint, there wasn’t anything inherently good nor bad. Meryl Streep is in this thing for literally 3 minutes. Sarah Gavron has only one other major film under her belt and that is Brick Lane which she directed with her sister. Gavron builds the character and their motives are both warranted and competent. Mulligan is strong here or what I’ve started calling it expectedly excellent.

Our Grade: C+, Mediocre but above average at the end of it all. Strong acting is hurt by uneven direction. Scripting was decent and the story was altogether well enough. This is a truly interesting story to consider when you think about the fact that this happened a little less than 100 years ago. I’ll recommend it, although slightly. This is a great film for feminists looking for a film to rally behind. I don’t know why I really disliked the manipulation of my emotions by telling me Meryl Streep is in this and then she literally isn’t. I hate that more than anything.