Maudie
Four stars
Dir: Aisling Walsh
With: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke
Runtime: 116 minutes
THE true story of Maude Lewis, who overcame severe disability and prejudice to claim a life for herself and a reputation as a gifted painter, is set out in Aisling Walsh’s touching drama. Maud is played by Sally Hawkins, with Ethan Hawke as the gruff fish peddlar who hires her as a maid and unwittingly sets her on the path to the recognition she deserved. It is always tricky when able-bodied film stars play disabled people (disabled actors need work too, you know), but Hawkins’ finely drawn portrayal is hard to resist for long. Hawke has more of a mountain to climb when it comes to being convincing as an ordinary Nova Scotia bod, but even he comes good by the end. Stay when the credits roll to see footage of the real Maud in the tiny house in which she lived and worked.
June 23, Cineworld, 18.05; June 25, Odeon 2, 15.15
Daphne
Three stars
Dir: Peter Mackie Burns
With: Emily Beecham, Geraldine James
Runtime: 90 minutes
A STAR is born in Peter Mackie Burns’ debut drama in the form of Emily Beecham, playing the titular Daphne. Like some noughties Jean Shrimpton, the young flame-haired chef seems to have it all going on in her London life as she swings from work to bar to bed. But there’s a sadness clinging to Daphne, one that sooner or later she must confront. Mackie Burns handles the story like a seasoned pro, and Beecham is terrifically watchable, but there is not enough going on in the story, and what plot twists there are seem tacked on. On the strength of this, though, you’ll definitely be seeing director and star again.
June 23, Cineworld, 20.55; June 26, Cineworld, 20.55
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