Suffragettes is a period drama film set in London in the early 20th century which depicts the struggles of women fighting for their right to vote. The movie follows the character of Maud Watts, a wife and mother who works in a laundry. She is introduced as a woman who is uncomfortable with the idea of joining the suffrage movement, but as the story progresses, she starts to get more involved and becomes a highly active member of the fight for equality.
The movie opens with a shocking incident where a group of women from the suffrage movement try to approach the Kingâs horse at a race and are brutally attacked by the police. This sets the tone for the film and illustrates the extent to which the government and the authorities were willing to go to suppress these women's efforts to gain the right to vote.
Maud's transformation from a woman who is unsure and hesitant to a fierce advocate for women's suffrage is one of the most compelling aspects of the film. The audience is introduced to Maud's struggles in her personal life as a wife and mother, and this makes her character all the more relatable. As she becomes increasingly involved in the movement, she faces immense backlash from her family, coworkers, and society at large.
The movie also explores the relationship between the suffragettes and the police force. The police are shown to be violent and oppressive, using force to silence and control the women who are demanding their rights. The film does not shy away from showing the womenâs willingness to fight back against the brutality, and it raises questions about the morality of civil disobedience versus the use of force in revolutionary activism.
One of the things that make this film stand out is its incredible ensemble cast. Carey Mulligan gives a stirring performance as Maud Watts, bringing depth and nuance to her character. Helena Bonham Carter plays the role of a militant suffragette called Edith Ellyn, who is intense and passionate about the movement. Meryl Streep, who makes a brief appearance as Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragette movement, is a powerhouse on screen and adds weight to the movie just with her presence.
The film's cinematography is striking, with austere and muted tones contrasting against the bold and vibrant clothing that the suffragettes wore. The costumes effectively transport the audience to the period and add to the authenticity of the film.
Suffragettes delivers a powerful message about the struggle for women's rights and the sacrifices that were made to achieve them. It is a movie that inspires and educates, and the themes it explores are more relevant now than ever. The film portrays the bravery and gumption of the suffragettes in a way that is both respectful and impactful. It is a film that every person interested in womenâs rights should watch.
One criticism of the movie is that it does not delve deeply enough into the more complex aspects of the suffragettes' movement. For example, the movie does not touch on the ways in which the suffragettes' activism was exclusionary of women of color, or how upper-class women hijacked the movement for their own benefit. While this is true, the film does tackle another important topic of that time, which is the exploitative and degrading work conditions faced by working-class women.
In conclusion, Suffragettes is a well-made film that delivers a powerful message about the fight for gender equality. The movie's themes and the struggles it portrays are still relevant today, making it an essential viewing experience for anyone interested in social justice or women's rights. With stunning documentary-like cinematography and a brilliant cast, Suffragettes is a movie that everyone should watch.
Suffragettes is a 2018 non-fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes.
