Maudie

Sally Hawkins delivers an exquisite performance as real-life eccentric Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis. Set in the late 1930s in rural Nova Scotia, Maud—crippled since childhood with rheumatoid arthritis—has been cheated out of her inheritance by her selfish brother (Zachary Bennett), and sent to live in Digby with her stern, spinster aunt (Gabrielle Rose), who treats Maud as if she's feebleminded. Determined to make her own way in the world, indefatigably optimistic Maud spies a “help wanted” ad in the general store and trudges several miles on a dirt road to a tiny ramshackle cottage owned by surly fish-peddler Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke), applying for a job as his live-in housekeeper. Grumpy Everett grudgingly hires Maud, although he constantly berates her, curtly claiming that his dogs and chickens are more valuable to him than her. Resolutely cheerful and creative, Maud slyly finds time to paint, dabbing colorful flowers and vibrant birds on the shelves and walls of Everett's 10' x 12' house (and any scraps of wood she can find). Everett's verbal abuse of Maud continues until a visitor (Kari Matchett) from New York City buys some of her decorative artwork. Sensitively directed by Aisling Walsh, the story of Lewis's spirited plight strikes a poignant chord. Recommended. (S. Granger)