Maudie Film Review: Two Broken Characters Find Each-other.
A melodrama, based on a true story, set in Nova Scotia over a 30 year period. Sally Hawkins plays the female lead (Maudie), an arthritic hunchback, she is a little simple and frail, but someone who has an artistic gift. When facing difficult or emotional situations she is seen rushing to be by herself to paint, this is her coping mechanism.
Ethan Hawk plays the male lead (Everett), a moody fish seller and 'do-it-all' handyman. He has a violent temper originating from a poor childhood, raised in a children's home and an evidently hard present-day life. Maudie answers a shop advert to be Everett's housekeeper, it's clear that no-one else would have tolerated Everett's fiery behaviour. However, they became a couple over time and they eventually get married, both realising they were the best either would ever get.
One of Everett's customers notices and appreciates Maudie's art and agrees to purchase everything she can produce. Even though Maudie's art is naïve with a childish quality it's even acclaimed by the president and he also buys a piece, the wide admiration results in rapid fame.
Later in the film we learn that Maudie had a baby many years previously that she believes had died. But we discover actually survived and was adopted, Maudie tracks her down and is content that her daughter's adult life is normal and happy (though they do not actually meet.)
Maudie suffers with emphysema from heavy smoking, this does not have a good outcome for her.
The film is very well made, with some Oscar worthy performances, particularly from Sally Hawkins.
As is normal, we see actual vintage film footage of the couple during the end credits.
Recommended.
8/10.
Ethan Hawk plays the male lead (Everett), a moody fish seller and 'do-it-all' handyman. He has a violent temper originating from a poor childhood, raised in a children's home and an evidently hard present-day life. Maudie answers a shop advert to be Everett's housekeeper, it's clear that no-one else would have tolerated Everett's fiery behaviour. However, they became a couple over time and they eventually get married, both realising they were the best either would ever get.
One of Everett's customers notices and appreciates Maudie's art and agrees to purchase everything she can produce. Even though Maudie's art is naïve with a childish quality it's even acclaimed by the president and he also buys a piece, the wide admiration results in rapid fame.
Later in the film we learn that Maudie had a baby many years previously that she believes had died. But we discover actually survived and was adopted, Maudie tracks her down and is content that her daughter's adult life is normal and happy (though they do not actually meet.)
Maudie suffers with emphysema from heavy smoking, this does not have a good outcome for her.
The film is very well made, with some Oscar worthy performances, particularly from Sally Hawkins.
As is normal, we see actual vintage film footage of the couple during the end credits.
Recommended.
8/10.
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