CRITICAL REVIEW – Mrs America (mini-series)

CRITICAL REVIEW – Mrs America (mini-series) 

Image source  BBC Two Mrs America

BACKGROUND 

Created and written by Dahvi Waller, this historical drama is a big production. 

FX on Hulu label 

Aired United Kingdom BBC Two - summer 2020 


OVERVIEW

Based on the fights and fallouts of America’s mid-20th century sex and equality war. 

Conservative activist and lawyer, Phyllis Schlafly was a strong advocate against equal rights for women and campaigned against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and helped reshape American politics in doing so. She battled against the second wave of the feminist movement which was gaining momentum during the 1970s. The spark for this occurrence was the publication of Betty Friedan’s book “The Feminine Mystique” (1963). Friedan had been writing and speaking, effectively, in support of feminism for many years, but she was knocked back when she poorly debated with Schlafly publicly. After which journalist and activist, Gloria Steinem took up the mantle, leading the movement on the campaign’s trails alongside Friedan, lawyer, Bella Abzug and American politician, Shirley Chisholm. This is their story (and of others associated with it) throughout the decade. 

A strong cast headed by Cate Blanchett (Phyllis Schlafly), Rose Byrne (Gloria Steinem) and Tracey Ullman (Betty Friedan) 

Series 1 (9 Episodes): with each episode running chronologically detailing the unfolding of events yet focusing on different people and place and their story fits within the timeline: 

Phyllis, Gloria, Shirley, Betty, Phyllis & Fred & Brenda &Marc, Jill, Bella, Houston, ending with Episode 9 - Reagan which focuses on the Republican election win (1980) and how this particular collective battle within the bigger story came to an end.   

Includes real film footage and an original soundtrack.

COMMENT

This show is a real education and sharply focuses on the period and on the subject it explores. It tells, intimately, a story of the women on both sides of the argument who were constantly trying to deflate each other’s sails. Words that embody the topics are: hope, optimism, scrutiny, criticism, rivalry and resistance. 

There is a special kind of irresistibility attached to this production which commands attention, though the exploration of the argument may internalise things for the viewer and one may find the mind wandering at times. This is not a negative observation, just a sign of what brilliant writing can do!

All of the exceptional cast portray the ups and downs of the real-life individuals to a tee, and provides portrayals that are hugely notable and memorable. 

The period costume, hair and make-up (wardrobe) and set designs, twinned with the film edits, the split-screen techniques are great creative additions. Lastly, but by no means least, the original soundtrack with song selections from an array of music genres makes one sit up and pay attention… while foot tapping at the same time. 

What a time it was!

 

                                   **ENDS**

 

Review by critic Debra Hall (UK)