Quick Info
Maudie is a quiet, intimate biographical film about the Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis and her peculiar relationship with Everett Lewis, a rough-edged fish peddler. The film paints a lovely but unsentimental portrait of a woman who, despite her severe rheumatoid arthritis and an unforgiving environment, creates luminous art and finds joy in small everyday moments. There's a gentle rhythm to the storytelling, unfolding in the windswept Nova Scotia countryside, which really lets you settle into Maud’s perspective.
What stood out most to me were the performances. Sally Hawkins is spellbinding as Maud—her physicality and the subtle determination she brings to the character make Maud believable, endearing, and heartbreaking all at once. Ethan Hawke, as Everett, gives a gruff, minimal performance that slowly reveals warmth as the film goes on. The chemistry feels raw and authentic, especially as their initially transactional relationship morphs into something unexpectedly tender.
Visually, it’s quite beautiful. The cinematography finds magic in the everyday—the chipped paint of a kitchen chair, wintry blue shadows, and the riot of colorful artwork that slowly fills Maud’s world. The director, Aisling Walsh, lingers on small gestures and details, which makes Maudie feel all the more personal and true. It’s not a grandiose, sweeping biopic; rather, it’s about the significance of a life lived with purpose, even if confined to just a tiny house on the edge of nowhere.
There are moments where the film leans a little too hard on its charm, glossing over some of the harsher aspects of Maud's situation or the roughness in Everett’s character. While the slow pace helps build atmosphere, it may feel a bit meandering for some. Still, I found myself thoroughly drawn in, moved by the simplicity and authenticity of the world it builds.
You would enjoy this if you like character-driven dramas, patient storytelling, or finding beauty in ordinary life. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a true story that celebrates persistence and artistic spirit without resorting to melodrama or cliché.
