A stunning true story unfortunately tarted up for modern audiences, this disappointing but still powerful HBO movie chronicles the strife and downright horrors faced by the bravest of American suffragettes in their battle for women's voting rights in the 1910s. Brimming over with modern informalities, fictional romances, a wildly incongruous soundtrack of post-feminist empowerment pop, and an improbable cast of B-list Hollywood beauties (including Hilary Swank and Frances O'Connor), Iron Jawed Angels is an oversimplification that presents a gaggle of forward-thinking gal pals taking on sexist politicians and fuddy-duddy Susan B. Anthony types who don't subscribe to their radical methods. On the plus side, director Katja von Garnier sometimes takes a step back from her amped-up, part-stylish/part-tacky filmmaking as the women face extreme (and factual) consequences for their actions--including political imprisonment and torture--and at these moments the film hits an emotionally potent stride. On the other hand, the script is plagued by transparent contrivances (the meek wife of a fictional anti-suffrage senator learns to assert herself), dubious choices (a masturbation scene), and little historical or political detail (and just barely pays lip service to unflattering facts such as the exclusion of black women from the movement). Still, Iron Jawed Angels occasionally gives an ardent cinematic voice to a shamefully neglected story of progressive American courage. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include a dull, self-congratulatory commentary track by the director and screenwriter Sally Robinson. Bottom line: a lackluster extras package for a flawed treatment of an important subject.] (R. Blackwelder)
Iron Jawed Angels
HBO, 124 min., not rated, VHS or DVD: $26.99 Volume 19, Issue 5
Iron Jawed Angels
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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