Iron Jawed Angels
"Iron Jawed Angels" recounts for a contemporary audience a key chapter in U.S. history: in this case, the struggle of suffragists who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment. Focusing on the two defiant women, Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor), the film shows how these activists broke from the mainstream women's-rights movement and created a more radical wing, daring to push the boundaries of political protest to secure women's voting rights in 1920. Breathing life into the relationships between Paul, Burns and others, the movie makes the women feel like complete characters instead of one-dimensional figures from a distant past.
Member Reviews
Almost Perfect, With One Very Out of Place Scene - BloodMoonGrrrl
I have to say that I have seen this movie at least 50 times. As someone who holds a degree in women's studies and has read several books on the subject, I would say this is a fairly accurate accounting of the suffrage movement although it does take some quite pronounced liberties. Most notable of these is Paul's would be romance and the masturbation scene, which is VERY out of place with Paul's true character (some say this movie shold be shown in schools; I agree, but this scene will never see the inside of a North American school). Swank's performance as Alice Paul is stunning, especially during the force feeding scenes, and the resistance the women faced is quite realistic (although somewhat toned down in the film from what it actually was).An unexpected delight - rainbowk
The minute the film ended I wanted to go back to the beginning and watch it again, and I went looking for a copy to buy the next day - it's that damn good.
I was surprised and pleased to see Julia Ormond in the film - one of my all time favourite actresses since I saw her in the Young Catherine miniseries many years ago - and Hilary Swank is always worth watching.
The story is a trimmed but factual account of the fight for women's suffrage in the U.S. and manages to make the history and the characters feel very alive, vital, real.Thoughtful and entertaining - jeremy2063
I expected this movie to be awkward or stilted, but it was surprisingly engaging. I bought it from Blockbuster for $6 or so, while I wait for the Tudors disk one from Season Two to arrive. As a previous reviewer said, there are some anachronisms and the first time I watched it the modern music and colloquialisms seemed to jar with the period costumes. Nevertheless it's a great film based I believe very closely on a true story. My 21 year old daughter thoroughly enjoyed it and my mother-in-law watched the whole thing!
I am a 62 year old male, and I think this show has something for any thoughtful person, regardless of age or gender.
Member Reviews
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Almost Perfect, With One Very Out of Place Scene - BloodMoonGrrrl
I have to say that I have seen this movie at least 50 times. As someone who holds a degree in women's studies and has read several books on the subject, I would say this is a fairly accurate accounting of the suffrage movement although it does take some quite ...An unexpected delight - rainbowk
The minute the film ended I wanted to go back to the beginning and watch it again, and I went looking for a copy to buy the next day - it's that damn good.
I was surprised and pleased to see Julia Ormond in the film - one of my all time favourite actresses ...Thoughtful and entertaining - jeremy2063
I expected this movie to be awkward or stilted, but it was surprisingly engaging. I bought it from Blockbuster for $6 or so, while I wait for the Tudors disk one from Season Two to arrive. As a previous reviewer said, there are some anachronisms and the first ...