Maudie, a very Nova Scotia story, was very clearly shot in
Newfoundland. Only Nova Scotians will care about this. (The production moved when the film tax credit was mangled.) Maud Lewis (Sally Hawkins, excellent) lived an awful life made even worse by a terrible man (Ethan Hawke, of course), as Maudie depicts while also curiously wanting you to be into their “special” love story, quirky in that abusive way of the time. And she painted, never making more than $10 a piece—think about that while guessing how many thousands that recently uncovered piece will get after it visits the AGNS this week—as her body deteriorated. It is grim and sad. Director Aisling Walsh and screenwriter Sherry White give Lewis the standard biopic treatment—monumental artist despite much tragedy. (Unlike most men depicted this way, Lewis is not also a monster.) She sure lives with one though. Even wrongly located it’s beautifully shot, even if the painting often feels incidental.
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This article appears in Apr 6-12, 2017.
I don’t think the painting feels incidental at all in the film. It is clearly her escape into a place of beauty and refuge from her otherwise miserable life. I think the film demonstrates that very effectively. It is however a shame that it wasn’t filmed in Nova Scotia as her life reflects the hardships of living there at that time and the beauty of its culture and landscapes. What an incredible story.
You should really find something else to do besides pretending you are a movie critic.
I think your crappy opinion & views would be much better suited to judging an kindergarten art exhibit.
We just got home from seeing Maudie. The storytelling, acting & setting were all amazing.
Sally Hawkins & Ethan Hawke both gavve Oscar worthy performances.
I am sure it wasn’t filmed in Digby because of the government’s cuts to the film tax credits.
Richard, Tara mentions the film cuts in the second line of the review. You should probably read the piece before making personal comments about the writer.
Since the period is before the parentheses, it’s actually the third line. If we’re playing that game, I mean. :3
Richard, you’ve mis-read what I’ve said and hmmm…seems like a personal attack which was hardly warranted. Our family knew Maud. Our mother who is 88 and visited her often saw the film with us in Toronto. We were incredibly moved by its poignancy and depiction of her life. I simply stated that Maud’s painting wasn’t incidental in the movie at all. And yes I knew why it wasn’t filmed in Nova Scotia but suggested it would have been nice if it could have been. Simple as that.
Hmmmm. Decision to film in NFLD was May, 2014. Tax credit mess was April 2015. McNeil is complete garbage, but get your facts straight.
http://www.novanewsnow.com/news/2014/5/21/maud-lewis-movie-to-be-shot-in-newfoundl-3733116.html
I loved this film and the haunting music….Happy Heritage Day, 2019, Maud Lewis
I thought it looked like it was filmed in Ireland, Nova Scotia looks much alike.