The film MAUDIE doesn't always hold the line between pathos & schmaltz. It hits most of its notes in clear, concise, but in unambitious ways. It sometimes redundantly says things that have been clearly and more powerfully shown. It's a bit of a hand holder and not all that courageous creatively.
However, it beautifully photographs Nova Scotia, the mise en scène and costumes are fantastic, and Ethan Hawk does a damn fine job holding his own...
But the real takeaway is this: watching Sally Hawkins act can make your heart grow ten times larger. She is transcendent. The film stayed in my mind solely because of the work she put on that screen.
PS: Showing documentary footage of the actual Maud and Everett Lewis at the end of the film rammed home just what a beautified, Hollywood-esque, version of this story MAUDIE is and made me long for something more authentic and true to the reality I saw in those final shots.
However, it beautifully photographs Nova Scotia, the mise en scène and costumes are fantastic, and Ethan Hawk does a damn fine job holding his own...
But the real takeaway is this: watching Sally Hawkins act can make your heart grow ten times larger. She is transcendent. The film stayed in my mind solely because of the work she put on that screen.
PS: Showing documentary footage of the actual Maud and Everett Lewis at the end of the film rammed home just what a beautified, Hollywood-esque, version of this story MAUDIE is and made me long for something more authentic and true to the reality I saw in those final shots.