IN BRIEF: Well acted and moving story about the plight of battered wives and lives.
JIM'S REVIEW: (RECOMMENDED) The aftereffects of domestic abuse linger in the compelling family drama, Herself. We are immediately thrown into Sandra (Clare Dunne) dilemma in a sudden and harrowing scene as this mother is battered by her lout of a husband, Gary (a chilling Ian Lloyd Anderson), and forced find other lodgings with her two small children. She tries to literally rebuild her life and relies upon the kindness of friends and strangers to guide her way. Sandra decides to start life anew and secretly build her own home for her family
While I was completely engaged throughout the movie, the overall premise seemed to contrived and easily achieved. That Sandra could begin this physically and emotionally home improvement project, while holding two menial jobs, would be challenging for anyone, but to also latch onto a group of do-goers with the knowledge of house construction so quickly who ply their talents to help her on a daily basis (including weekends) was too much for your cynical reviewer to believe.
That said, this Irish import is very well done due to its fine cast, several touching moments, and its central theme of domestic abuse as one woman's struggle to survive. That endurance test is quite convincingly told by Ms. Dunne (who also wrote the screenplay with Malcolm Campbell). She is wonderful in her role and Harriet Walker as her sympathetic mother figure and the aforementioned evil Mr. Anderson) compliment her every step of the way.
Assuredly directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Herself is a case for home improvement of the highest order, as it depicts a troubling issue that just will not go away. (GRADE: B)
JIM'S REVIEW: (RECOMMENDED) The aftereffects of domestic abuse linger in the compelling family drama, Herself. We are immediately thrown into Sandra (Clare Dunne) dilemma in a sudden and harrowing scene as this mother is battered by her lout of a husband, Gary (a chilling Ian Lloyd Anderson), and forced find other lodgings with her two small children. She tries to literally rebuild her life and relies upon the kindness of friends and strangers to guide her way. Sandra decides to start life anew and secretly build her own home for her family
While I was completely engaged throughout the movie, the overall premise seemed to contrived and easily achieved. That Sandra could begin this physically and emotionally home improvement project, while holding two menial jobs, would be challenging for anyone, but to also latch onto a group of do-goers with the knowledge of house construction so quickly who ply their talents to help her on a daily basis (including weekends) was too much for your cynical reviewer to believe.
That said, this Irish import is very well done due to its fine cast, several touching moments, and its central theme of domestic abuse as one woman's struggle to survive. That endurance test is quite convincingly told by Ms. Dunne (who also wrote the screenplay with Malcolm Campbell). She is wonderful in her role and Harriet Walker as her sympathetic mother figure and the aforementioned evil Mr. Anderson) compliment her every step of the way.
Assuredly directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Herself is a case for home improvement of the highest order, as it depicts a troubling issue that just will not go away. (GRADE: B)