Iron Jawed Angels

I just viewed this film and was very moved by the story and the performances. Hillary Swank was excellent as Alice and brought a believability to the character which the history books cannot convey.

All women should view this film, especially those who choose not to vote. While I have always exercised my right to vote, I did not realize what sacrifices were made so that I would have that right. Viewing this film should be part of American History classes. I don't remember ever reading about this in my history class. What perfect timing to have it air before this very important election.It reminds us that most freedoms that we enjoy are only won after much fierce determination, sacrifice, and overcoming overwhelming odds.

It's almost impossible to imagine that less than 100 years ago, our country's government did not allow its female citizens to vote, and what's sadder is, the men in charge at that time would NOT have amended the Constitution to include women if it hadn't been for relentlessly driven, fiercely intelligent and humblingly courageous people like Alice Paul, who was depicted in this show as being deeply conflicted about how far she knew she would have to go to push the envelope, but she did it anyway because it simply had to be done. In this day and age, all young girls (who take so much for granted) should be made to watch this film as a brutal lesson in history. Kudos to all concerned, particularly Hilary Swank who couldn't have been any more compelling as the heroic Alice Paul.

Very entertaining and affecting story of women's struggle for the vote. Rather than the period-piece drama one would get on a BBC show about the movement, this portrays very modern, very impassioned women. The director is determined to avoid any hint of stuffiness, and at times the gimmicky camera work seems there not to further the story but just to make sure this works for the MTV generation, but the result is a dynamic and entertaining movie. I've never heard much of anything about the women's suffrage movement and it is interesting to see how it played out and to learn a little about the movie's impassioned heroine Alice Paul and her struggle both with the patriarchy and with the more cautious suffragettes. She seems to have been a fascinating woman, and judging from her photographs, almost as cute as Hillary Swank.

"Iron Jawed Angels" follows the true life stories of Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and the other brave suffragettes who fought for a woman's right to be heard in the government. What a fabulous movie!! A topic that could have been boring was brought to life by director Katja von Garnier, as well as wonderful performances by Julia Ormond, Molly Parker, Vera Farmiga, and the amazing Hillary Swank, who brings chills with her powerful monologues. The soundtrack, despite not being from the 1910s or 1920s, is also a great listen.

An important piece of history brought to life that all women should see and appreciate.

This is an extremely good and entertaining depiction of the suffragette movement at the turn of the last century. All of the front line actresses give strong and believable performances, especially Frances O'Connor as Lucy Burns, Molly Parker as Mrs. Leighton, and Brooke Smith as Mable Norman. Hillary Swank is in the lead and is excellent as Alice Paul. I thought the cinematography was superb and gave a real sense of the period. the script does an excellent job of touching on some other collateral issues and makes them interesting without distracting from the focal point of the movie, e.g., the "conflict" between the younger women in the movement and the established old guard, the attitudes of th esuffragettes towards the men in their lives, and the issues of black women as part of the movement.

My pet peeve about real life historical movies is accuracy in lieu of Hollywood license and this one stays as true to facts as you can ask...the scenes from the women's prison are more than compelling and visually forceful. As opposed to some other reviewers, I had no problem at all with the soundtrack and can't imagine why anyone would let it detract from such a well made, acted, and shot movie, especially when wse get the privilege of seeing women as something other than sirens or ornaments for the male characters.

Whether you are a history buff or not, and regardless of how you feel about the issue of women voting (cough), you'll enjoy this one...watch it on cable or pick it up when you get the chance, it will be a nice addition to your movie collection.