Suffragette Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A laundry worker gets really into smashing windows to get the right to vote, which somehow involves Meryl Streep yelling from a balcony.

🍿 Suffragette: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Maud’s World

The film introduces Maud Watts, a working-class laundry woman in 1912 London, struggling to make ends meet. She endures harsh working conditions and faces societal inequality simply for being a woman. Maud’s initial involvement with the Suffragette movement is accidental, sparked by a colleague, Violet Miller, but it quickly draws her into a world of radical activism.

Radicalization and Activism

Maud becomes increasingly involved with the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), led by Emmeline Pankhurst. She participates in acts of civil disobedience, including property damage, to draw attention to their cause. The film depicts the risks these women took, facing arrest, imprisonment, and social ostracization for their beliefs.

Personal Sacrifices

Maud’s activism leads to severe consequences in her personal life. Her husband, Sonny, unable to accept her involvement, throws her out, and she loses access to her son, George. The film portrays the devastating impact of societal pressure and patriarchal norms on women who dared to challenge the status quo.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan): A working-class laundress who becomes a passionate activist in the fight for women’s suffrage in early 20th-century London.
• Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff): A committed suffragette and coworker of Maud’s who introduces her to the movement and its radical actions.
• Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter): A pharmacist and key member of the WSPU who uses her shop as a base for suffragette operations.
• Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep): The charismatic and influential leader of the suffragette movement who inspires women to fight for their rights.
• Sonny Watts (Ben Whishaw): Maud’s husband, who struggles to understand and accept her involvement in the increasingly radical suffragette movement.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Violet Miller: “You want me to respect the law? Then make the law respectable.” – Violet says this highlighting the unjust nature of the laws that oppress women.
• Maud Watts: “I’m worth no more, I’m worth no less.” – Maud declares this to her husband, expressing that she is equal in value and importance as him.
• Emmeline Pankhurst: “Never surrender. Never give up the fight.” – Pankhurst inspires the suffragettes to continue their struggle for equality despite the obstacles.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,702,420
• Worldwide Gross: $31,972,096

💥 Suffragette Reviews

Personal Review

I was really moved by Suffragette. Seeing the sacrifices these women made for something we take for granted today was incredibly powerful. Carey Mulligan’s performance was heartbreaking, especially the scenes where she loses contact with her son. I appreciated that the film didn’t shy away from showing the violence and the brutal conditions these women faced. The Epsom Derby scene was devastating.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas”
  • “Those passionate about women’s rights and social justice”
  • “Fans of Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep”
  • “People who enjoy films depicting significant historical events”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and police brutality”
  • “Depiction of social injustice”
  • “Brief scenes of sexual harassment”
  • “Disturbing scenes of force-feeding”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “Carey Mulligan delivers a powerful performance as Maud, a working-class woman radicalized by the suffragette movement. The film captures the brutality faced by these women, though Meryl Streep’s cameo feels more like a marketing ploy than a substantial role. A compelling and necessary historical drama.
• The New York Times: “While somewhat formulaic, Suffragette succeeds in portraying the personal sacrifices and fierce determination of the women who fought for the right to vote in early 20th-century Britain. Mulligan’s performance is nuanced and moving, capturing the internal conflict of a woman torn between family and political ideals.
• Empire Magazine: ““Suffragette” does the essential work of bringing this relatively untold part of British history to the screen. A solid history lesson which gives a view of the sacrifices so many women gave, with a passionate performance from the main actress.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Carey Mulligan’s powerful and emotional performance.: Most people agreed that the film was a compelling and important history lesson about the fight for women’s rights.

The Epsom Derby scene and force-feeding scenes were mentioned as memorable and impactful.: Many reviewers found the film moving, educational, and a reminder of how far women have come.

Overall Consensus: Suffragette is a well-acted and emotionally resonant historical drama that sheds light on the struggles and sacrifices of the women who fought for the right to vote in early 20th-century Britain.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the first film allowed to shoot in the British Houses of Parliament since the 1950s.”
• “The filmmakers aimed to portray the working-class women who were the foot soldiers of the Suffragette movement, rather than focusing on the more well-known leaders.”
• “Director Sarah Gavron wanted to create a film that felt authentic and visceral, immersing the audience in the harsh realities faced by these women.”

🖥️ How to Watch Suffragette?

As of October 2024, “Suffragette” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) are also available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Suffragette, you might like these similar films:

• Made in Dagenham (2010): Both films depict working-class women fighting for equal rights and fair treatment in Britain.
• The Iron Lady (2011): Focuses on a prominent female figure in British politics, albeit from a different era and perspective.
• Hidden Figures (2016): Celebrates the achievements of marginalized women who fought for recognition and equality in a male-dominated field.
• North Country (2005): Depicts the struggles of female miners facing harassment and discrimination in the workplace, echoing the themes of gender inequality.

🛒 Suffragette Related Products

• Suffragette (Blu-ray): Own the film on Blu-ray and delve deeper into the history and making of Suffragette with bonus features, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Votes for Women: A Graphic History: A visually compelling graphic novel that explores the history of the women’s suffrage movement, providing a broader perspective on the social and political landscape of the time.
• Suffragette – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl): Experience the haunting and powerful score of Suffragette with the original motion picture soundtrack on vinyl, composed by Alexandre Desplat.
• Suffragette T-Shirt: Show your support for women’s rights and equality with a Suffragette-themed t-shirt featuring iconic symbols or quotes from the movement.

🎧 Soundtrack

Suffragette features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “March of the Women” – performed by Ethel Smyth and Cicely Hamilton
• “Prologue” – performed by Alexandre Desplat
• “Hope” – performed by Alexandre Desplat

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Votes for women, say the Suffragettes– but not THOSE women!

Ever wonder about the full story behind the suffragettes and their iconic white dresses? This video dives into the uncomfortable truths about the movement’s inclusivity (or lack thereof). It’s a real eye-opener!

Suffragettes Learn to Fight with “Suffrajitsu” (feat. Tatiana Maslany) – Drunk History

Did you know some suffragettes learned martial arts? ‘Drunk History’ tackles this wild fact with a hilarious sketch featuring Tatiana Maslany! It’s educational and funny, a perfect combo.

Carey Mulligan Got To Run From An Explosion During “Suffragette”

Carey Mulligan talking about blowing stuff up while filming Suffragette? Yes, please! Hear her describe the surprising amount of action involved, it’s a fun little peek behind the curtain.

Clare Balding’s Secrets of a Suffragette | Epsom Derby Festival | Channel 4 Racing

The tragic story of Emily Wilding Davison at the Epsom Derby is still debated today. This clip from Channel 4 Racing dives into the details of this pivotal moment in Suffragette history. It’s a must-watch for understanding the movement’s intensity and sacrifices.

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