Maudie (2016)

An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community.

Director:

Aisling Walsh

Writer:

Sherry White

Stars:

Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke, Kari Matchett

23 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Hawkins	...	Maud Lewis
Ethan Hawke	...	Everett Lewis
Kari Matchett	...	Sandra
Gabrielle Rose	...	Aunt Ida
Zachary Bennett	...	Charles Dowley
Billy MacLellan	...	Frank
Lawrence Barry	...	Mr. Davis (Shopkeeper)
Greg Malone	...	Mr. Hill
Marthe Bernard	...	Kay
David Feehan	...	Paul
Nik Sexton	...	Steven (CBC Reporter)
Judy Hancock	...	Ida's Nurse
Mike Daly	...	Man at Bar
Brian Marler	...	Doctor
Denise Sinnott	...	Hospital Nurse

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 who she lives. After an action by Charlie, Maud decides to seek some independence, she 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 how she wants to see the world. Maud's ...

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Plot Keywords:

housekeeper | aunt niece relationship | killing a chicken | shack | snow | 

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Taglines:

Based On The Incredible True Story

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some thematic content and brief sexuality.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Ireland Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 2017 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Maudie, el color de la vida

Filming Locations:

the Goulds, St. John's, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

€4,993,020 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$69,085, 16 June 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$6,170,998, 16 November 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

H Is 4 Productions,Landscape Entertainment,Painted House Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first biographical film about artist Maud Lewis. However, a previous project was in development, with Rachel McAdams to play the lead role, which eventually fell apart.

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Goofs

Despite the fact when in the hospital near the film's end, the year is 1970, there are shots of a modern doorknob, folder holder on the wall, and automatic door sensor.

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Quotes

Mr. Davis (Shopkeeper): I don't know why people pay money for these, my 5-year-old could do better.
Everett Lewis: Maybe. Maybe he could, but he didn't - Maud did.

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Crazy Credits

A brief clip in the end credits shows the real Maud Lewis with husband, Everett, from a 1976 black and white short, "Maud Lewis: A World Without Shadows."

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Ethan Hawke/Lorde/Allan Peterkin & Russell Cordeiro (2017)

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Soundtracks

Dear Darling
Written by Mary Margaret O'Hara
Performed by Mary Margaret O'Hara

User Reviews

will warm your heart

What a good film. And most impressive is that it is actually based on a true story (sorry, I haven't done my research before the film, so when the documentary bits came at the end, I was like No way, that was actually for real!). I am not sure it can really be called a "feel good" movie - life wasn't that easy for her. But it will certainly warm your heart with a big and powerful message that we don't really need much to be happy.

Sally Hawkins was absolutely great. With that shy but ready smile and wondering eyes. Although I felt kind of sorry for the way they portrayed her husband. Not sure if he was as brute in real life as they made him. Not that I know, of course, but it felt too much (and he looked smiley enough in the documentary bits). Also, I'd say the editing was not as smooth as it could have been so felt rather amateurish overall, but maybe that was intentional.