Movie Review: Suffragette

Suffragettes faced many harrowing times in their fight for women to gain the vote.

Suffragette is a powerful movie, expertly told.

The tale of the women who fought to vote is a story that is all too often forgotten or taken for granted.

The Suffragette movie is a stark reminder of what these women went through and the difference their voice has made to society today.

Suffragette is at times harrowing and quite bleak. In saying that, the movie is riveting and a must-see for women of all ages.

Suffragette follows the story of east London washer woman Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) who spends her days handwashing and a laundrette under the watch of a sexual pervert and goes home to her husband and young son, and then cleans up after them.

Worn out and exhausted, Maud carries on as there is no other option because she is a woman. Such is life in the early 20th century.

During a street demonstration, Maud is unwittingly thrust into the Suffragette movement which sheds light on the inequalities between men and woman.

Maud begins to question what kind of life there is to live for a woman and is compelled to become part of the movement to change things.

She is bolstered by Suffragette Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter) and inspired by the Mrs Pankhurt (Merryl Streep) who offers a fleeting and uplifting appearance.

In this movie, the suffragettes are likened to foot soldiers and it's not an unfair analogy.

Frustrated and ostracised by society, the Suffragettes become desperate in their bid to be heard.

They begin to move under the cover of darkness in secret circles because it's too dangerous otherwise.

For some, they pay the ultimate price to have their message heard.

Suffragette would have to be one of the most powerful movies of the year.

The way it captured the tale of what these women went through (don't even get me started on the forced feeding scene) simply to have the same right as men when it came to democracy is beautifully executed.

As horrific as some events could be, the most upsetting reminder is knowing this is our history.

Suffragette is based on true events, as most New Zealanders should know.

Suffragette portrays the pivotal role in history where women, though blood, sweat and tears, eventually won the right to vote.

It's a stark reminder of the things we take for granted today.

Among the many scenes where it was hammered home just how bleak life was for women perhaps the most powerful is the closing credits, where the movie lists the years when women around the world finally won the vote.

It was with pride to watch that New Zealand topped the list, with thanks to Kate Shepherd, and some shock at how late other seemingly developed countries waited before they introduced the vote.

Suffragette is a remarkable movie but perhaps not one to watch if you were after something upbeat and funny.

I'd recommend this movie to mums and daughters of all ages.

Suffragette
Directed by Sarah Gavron