Review of The Most Hated Woman in America (2017) by Jonathan B — 09 Apr 2017

Before watching this movie, I've got to confess to never having heard of Madelyn Murray O'Hair but on the strength of this film, I want to find out more. I think her character could most euphemistically be described as "Spiky".

In fact, in the film, even one of her own sons describes her a s a "C**t!" Her maternal skills were questionable, she was manipulative and had a creative approach to US tax laws but you cannot deny that she was a woman with drive and a passion for the causes she believed in.

She rose to prominence in the United States for her crusading approach to atheism and it is to her credit that she founded the "American Atheists" organisation. The movie cuts between multiple periods of her memorable life.

She rose to prominence in the 1960s, when she successfully took on the Maryland authorities and stopped the compulsory prayers held in schools at the time. Going on to found her organisation in the 1970s the plot centres on her family and public life, her media appearances, the lucrative professional relationship she built with an evangelical minister and the awful, violent and tragic end she came to.

She is painted as a complex and deeply flawed individual and I was left feeling that the world is a duller place without her. Huge credit goes to Melissa Leo who plays Madalyn and is both captivating and formidable in the role.

This is a lady you probably wouldn't want living next door to you and certainly had some questionable methods but there's no denying that she made a difference and fought for what she believed in.

In terms of plotting, this is a fairly standard, TV biopic but I found it both informative and entertaining and I'd certainly like to know more about this remarkable lady. If only she'd lived to go head to head with Donald Trump.

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