Maudie (2016)

Release date: 2017-08-04
Country: Ireland|Canada
Language: English
Director: Aisling Walsh
Production Co: Painted House Films, Small Shack Productions, Parallel Films
Genre: Romance, Drama, Biography
Rating: 7.6/10
Length: 1h 55min

Storyline

1930's rural Nova Scotia. Maud Dowley, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, smokes heavily to deal with the pain. Because of her unusual gait from the arthritis, she is often mistaken as a stupid, incapable woman, that perception which does make her feel stupid and incapable. That view is held by her surviving family, her brother Charlie and her Aunt Ida with whom she lives. After an action by Charlie, Maud decides to seek some independence and is the only applicant for a posted job as housekeeper for brusque Everett Lewis, a poor fish seller. Despite not wanting to hire a cripple which only adds to their antagonism, Maud negotiates to get the job for room and board. Their antagonistic relationship ends up including Everett exacting beatings on Maud whenever she doesn't do what he wants. To keep herself happy, Maud begins to paint the interior of the house with happy pictures and paint similar pictures on small cards, these folk art pictures are how she wants to see the world. ...

Plot Keywords

housekeeper, f rated, canada, dog, snow, shack, aunt niece relationship, family secret, marriage, cigarette smoking, husband wife relationship, lie, brother sister relationship, pickup truck, baby, archive footage, kiss, looking out a window, paint, painter

Short Review

Both writer and director set out in search of a heroine. They're so intent on crafting a legend, they leave out the uncomfortable bits. They do her and us a disservice in that respect.