by Murtada
If you are a fan of Sally Hawkins then Maudie is a gift full of joy made just for you. Hawkins plays real life folk artist Maud Lewis, a smart lively woman who’s hunched with crippled hands from arthritis, as she finds solace and purpose in becoming an artist. Maud works as a housekeeper for a hardened reclusive bachelor, Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke). Of course she thaws his heart and they eventually couple up. The film is a two-hander even as Hawkins is its unquestionable center and beam of delight...
Everett Lewis is a recluse and social misfit who’s wary of and even downright hostile to Maud at first. She’s not easy either. She’s a terrible housekeeper and passive aggressively only does as she pleases. Yet somehow they realize they need each other. Hawkins’ performance is humorous and sly. Watch her face contort into mischievous glee when she hears the rumour going around the small Nova Scotia town they live in; that she is Everett's “sex slave”. Maybe she’d like to be? And she definitely likes shocking all the small minded people. The movie is full of such moments. Hawkins grabs and holds the scenes, not with overdramatics, but with humour and delectable gestures. Another treasurable moment is when Maud tries to guess how many oxen it took to push Everett's house to its location. Yes it’s that kind of quirky story.
Hawke complements Hawkins well but his character is so grumpy that his charm is mostly elusive. However we buy it because Sally sells why Maud is into him. Director Aisling Walsh manages to successfully merge Maud’s little world of Everett, their house, their chickens and dogs into her paintings. Maud’s inspiration is visually clear to us at all times. Those moments, coupled with Hawkins star turn, carry us through despite overbearing music and sometimes cloying romantic situations. Only towards the end does the film wear out its welcome. A ten minute trim would’ve gone a long way to make Maudie match the splendid performance at its center.
Oscar Chances: Hawkins deserves best actress consideration but will the film linger in memory for another 6 months? Doubtful. If Hawkins other central role this year in The Shape of Water is well received in December, Maudie could add momentum.