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Mrs America -good drama for once

(19 Posts)
trisher Thu 09-Jul-20 10:03:42

Think this is an excellent piece of drama. Cate Blanchett is very good as the conservative American wife. I never realised that a bill before Congress had to be ratified before so many states in order to be passed. Looking forward to the next episode (or shall I give in and watch on i-player?)

Teetime Thu 09-Jul-20 10:09:29

I think I must have been a bit tired I felt a bit nagged by her relentless dialogue and went to bed (been a tough day) - might give it another go.

merlotgran Thu 09-Jul-20 10:47:34

Absolutely loved it. Fast paced with a stellar cast. Like trisher, I'm finding it interesting because we were not so well informed in those days.

Trying to resist the urge to binge watch.

Elderflower2 Thu 09-Jul-20 10:51:12

Politics...relentless dialogue...yep ;)

Cate Blanchett is an excellent actress.

TerriBull Thu 09-Jul-20 13:59:07

Yes I'm inclined to agree with your comment Teetime and Elderflower the dialogue was rather relentless, in spite of that I found myself drifting off in the second part, although that's not unusual for me, my best sleeps come around 9 pm when I fully intend watching something.

I do like Cate Blanchett as an actress though she has a special quality and is very mesmerising.

TerriBull Thu 09-Jul-20 14:00:39

I think her her husband, in the programme, was in Mad Men, a while back.

BlueBelle Thu 09-Jul-20 14:06:07

I only watched a short time and couldn’t stand the dialogue and started nodding off so probably not fair to comment I texted my daughter and asked how she was getting on with it and the answer was not pulling me in so I m not sure I will go any further with it

Coolgran65 Thu 09-Jul-20 14:11:27

Dh and I wearied of it and left it after half an hour. It gets rave reviews so maybe we need to give it another go.
Perhaps we weren’t in a mood for concentrating.

trisher Thu 09-Jul-20 14:16:56

He was Terribull looked a bit less suave and more hagard than he did in MM.
I think the relentless speeches Cate Blanchett's character made were to show how she really didn't behave as the men expected her to. She could and did out talk them. I thought she was an amazing character with so many levels. Very dogmatic and dominating sometimes and ready to do anything to get what she wanted.

merlotgran Sat 11-Jul-20 20:51:54

Well, I've given in and watched another two episodes. It's as addictive as The Crown. grin

rockgran Sun 12-Jul-20 12:13:01

I'm up to episode 8 and finding it more and more interesting. I was in my mid 20s at the time and can't help being distracted from the plot by the fashions!

RCTina Mon 27-Jul-20 05:29:38

The ERA had to be ratified by two thirds of the states because it was an amendment to the Constitution, not a bill.

Jane10 Mon 27-Jul-20 06:58:37

I looked forward to this but gave up after two episodes. I found it, frankly, just a bit boring! I'm sure it was well done but it just didn't hold me.

Humbertbear Mon 27-Jul-20 08:48:40

Now try The Plot Against America and The Suitable Boy. There is some good stuff out there

Eloethan Mon 27-Jul-20 08:51:21

I thought it was really good, though apparently Gloria Steinem was very critical, saying that Phyllis Schlafly was not such a pivotal figure in the anti-ERA movement, and its success was not dependent on her but on other economic factors, the primary one being the opposition of the insurance industry.

That may well be the case - I don't know - but I found it very engaging and, although I had been vaguely aware of what was happening in the US, this series provided much more background. Also, I had never heard of Bella Abzug and was very interested to subsequently read about her contribution to the feminist and anti-racist movement.

The conclusion seemed to confirm how cynical and manipulative politicians can be. In this case they used their supporters for their own political ends, and then dropped them.

I loved the opening titles and music, and the sound track was great - very nostalgic.

Devorgilla Mon 27-Jul-20 17:29:14

Yes, I enjoyed this one and confess to binge watching over a handful of days. It took me back to my younger years. Good to look back and evaluate those times in the light of subsequent decades. Got some of the books, went on some of the demonstrations (UK) and even managed a career and motherhood. Glad to report my GD (USA) has been out protesting with her mother.

janeainsworth Mon 27-Jul-20 22:31:02

I’ve watched the first two episodes & enjoyed it very much. I thought it was interesting that near the beginning, one of the DAR women saw the conflict over the ERA as a fight between southern homemakers and northern liberals. The old divisions still rankle.
Thank you for the recommendation Trisher

Iam64 Tue 28-Jul-20 21:05:36

I've just finished watching this series and can't recommend it highly enough.

Absolutely great cast, not a weak link and with Cate Blanchett superb as Mrs S. It was a nostalgic watch for me back to the 1970's, to the growing realisation amongst my group of friends that being a feminist was exciting and opened up opportunities.

I enjoyed the way Mrs America showed both the liberal and the conservative groups of women with empathy and humour. It also accurately reflects the conflicts and alliances that form in political/social movements. I hadn't heard of Bella Abzug and had forgotten that Shirley Chisholm was the first black congresswoman and stood as a democratic presidential candidate in 1972. A great drama that reminded me of a time in my life when a more liberal and equal society seemed possible.

Its dispiriting to feel that the white supremacists in the conservative group appear even more prominent in US politics with Trump in the White House. On the bright side, many of the aims of the women's liberation movement have been achieved. There's still a long way to go though.

lynnfrazier Sat 01-Aug-20 03:51:08

Amazing cast. I watched old videos of the real Phyllis Schlafly before watching the series and I must say that Cate Blanchett pretty much nailed her character. The supporting actors have also done such a great job in portraying their roles, especially Tracey Ullman.

I can't wait for more! The opening sequence was also really good.

Lastly, I love the reunion of Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson! It made me miss Carol and Ocean's 8 a lot. They absolutely work well together.
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