Typically I sort out my impressions, observations and
judgment related to films through writing about them and then most of the time
I post the written review. This time I have a bit of a backlog. I have seen
lately Suffragette and Truth. I liked the films but they did not make a
significant impression on me and I did not know what I could really write about
them. There has been another reason too. I wanted to continue writing about my
plans for 2016. This is not an easy subject and I still have some work to do
before I really know how I want to live this year to make it really special this
time. The best year ever, as some gang ho motivators say. Let’s say a good
year, anyhow. I will get to it soon but for now it will be about the films I
have seen, as it looks I need to do some catching up with films to see the ones
that were awarded Golden Globes.
Suffragette, I believe, is a British film, at least
many actors playing in the film are
British. Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Romola Garai, Ben Whishaw,
Brendan Gleeson. Well, Brendan Gleeson is really Irish but this is definitely
not a Hollywood production
even if Meryl Streep plays the cameo role of Emmeline Pankhurst, the political
activist and leader of the British suffragette movement. Woman who helped women
to win the voting rights. Being a recently declared feminist, I had to see the
film. It was sort of an obligation, really. I realized how little I know about
women movements that were so necessary for me to be as independent and free as
I am now, in the XXI century. It was not that long time ago when Swiss women
were not allowed to vote. They got their rights as late as 1971. I found that very surprising. One would think
Switzerland
I have not liked to hear about violence related to
feministic movements. I do not agree with violence in any form. Seeing the
film, however, I realized that women of the times did not have any other choice
but to bring their point across in a violent way. They were not heard unless they
shocked or scared the society. Did Emily Davison wanted to shock through
suicidal stepping in front of the King George V’s horse or was she just
unlucky? The truth most likely will not
be known but this does not change the fact that she was in despair to bring the
message across no matter what the price. And that price was her life.
The film is also about growing up. Maud, played by
Carey Mulligan, at the beginning of the film is just interested in what is
going on among women she works with. Coincidently she gets involved in
presenting women plea for voting rights.
This starts her strong involvement in the movement leading to loosing
her family. She becomes a woman with the purpose. I like the way Carey Mulligan
handled the metamorphosis of the character. Rather a subtle performance and by
this subtleness powerful.
What particularly moved me was the story of Maud’s
husband who through pressure of the society threw the too independent woman
from home and not being able to combine taking care of their son and working,
gave away the son for adoption. His last cry was: what have I done ??!! Looks
that men were also hurt by unjust treatment of women.
This brings me to my favourite couple of the film
actors : Romola Garai and Ben Whishaw. Ben Whishaw plays the father and the
role of Romola Garai is this time not particularly significant. I first saw them
in the series The Hour, they both were memorable. Since then I have seen them
in several productions and I believe that they have great future ahead of them,
at least Ben Whishaw.
Maybe the film made more of an impression on me than I
initially though or maybe I am too verbose? In any case it is enough this time,
I will have to write about Truth on another occasion.
My rating 6 out of 10.
