It has been a while since I watched the movie, Iron Jawed Angels.
It is a riveting and highly entertaining film.
With the upcoming election and another one of Ashley's
"Jumps in Maturity," we watched it together.
The film chronicles the events leading up to the passage of
the nineteenth amendment to the US Constitution, recognizing
the right of women to vote in this country.
Produced by HBO, the movie boasts a strong cast, including:
Hilary Swank, Frances O'Connor, Julia Ormond, Angelica Huston,
Patrick Dempsey and Robert Gunton (as a movie buff,
I found the casting to be 'spot on')
The members of the supporting cast also brought great depth
to each of their roles, enhancing the impact of the production.
The storyline covers the work of ALice Paul and Lucy Burns, who worked with the National Women's Suffrage Association, then broke to form the National Women's Party. The mere observation of how these women analyzed situations, set up successful strategies, agreed on some things and disagreed intelligently, yet vehemently, on others - confirms the underlying basis of the movie and the message of the actual events. That is, women have the same fundamental rights as anyone, including the right to determine her community's destiny through the individual vote.
Interwoven in the story, are the questions and observations both specific to that place and time (United States, early 1900's) as well as the questions that are timeless.
I was delighted by the portrayal of the friendship and thoughts of Alice and Lucy. Their bond was endearing.
I was challenged in seeing the historical situation of people's lives in those times. The ways they carried out their day to day lives.
I was deeply touched by the interaction of the married couple as their power struggle over her life unfolded. This was particularly disturbing for me to see as a contemporary wife and mother.
Ashley and I had exciting conversations throughout our viewing (which have continued after, Hooray!)
At the end of the movie, Ashley asked me, "so Mommy, that is why you are able to vote?"
To which I replied, "Yes, darling, and when you turn eighteen, you will be able to vote, too!"
(oh my goodness, that time will be here before I know it!)
BE SURE TO VOTE NOVEMBER 4th!!
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