Jack and I liked a lot this lovely tale based on a real couple. She was a severely arthritic, outspoken painter (1903-1970) and he a gruff Halifax fish peddler. Apparently the chronology of her work is not accurate but I read an interview with one historian who still enjoyed the movie as much as we did despite its literary license.
Sally Hawkins (last blogged for Blue Jasmine for which she was Oscar-nominated but lost to Lupita Nyong'o) may get a nomination for a lead role this time, playing Maud from her 30s on, with the body English befitting Maud's disability. Ethan Hawke (most recently in these pages for Maggie's Plan) also turns in a splendid performance as the awkward, close-mouthed Everett.
Irish director Aisling Walsh is new to me but is no novice, and the same can be said for screenwriter Sherry White and cinematographer Guy Godfree. Newfoundland stands in for Halifax in Godfree's magnificent pictures. The movie shot for six weeks in the fall of 2015 (including in a complete replica of Lewis' house, the original of which has been restored, moved, and installed in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia) and the crew returned in January for the snowy scenes.
Cowboy Junkies' songwriter and guitarist Michael Timmins (the brother of the other members of that band, he's composed for five previous movies and contributed songs for more) provides a wonderful soundtrack that can be streamed on spotify from this link.
You don't need my recommendation to see this, as it's averaging 89% from critics and 94 from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
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