Review of Suffragette (2015) by Chris W — 28 Dec 2015

Suffragette tells an important era of our history that is oft overlooked in the classroom. It's to Gavron's credit that the film does this in an engaging, fascinating and at times moving way. Abi Morgan's script is fairly didactic, but not as heavy-handed and clunky as her Iron Lady treatment.

But just like that film, her fairly bog-standard script is elevated by a superb cast, finding the human story within the history lesson. Mulligan is convincing, likeable and believable as our maltreated heroine.

It's to her credit that we manage to root for Maud even though her fate is clear from the outset. Streep's cameo provides the gravitas necessary for such an historic figure as Pankhurst and it was a brave choice to keep her to the sidelines for fear of overwhelming the central "everywoman" theme.

Bonham-Carter on the other hand, and to a certain extent Gleeson, were woefully underused in fairly pedestrian roles that could have been much richer given the actors' prowess. Overall though Suffragette entertains, informs and enlightens and is successful in delivering an empowering message.