Widows

Amazing action movie!

This is a fantastic movie that was unjustly ignored by audiences and awards bodies upon its initial release. I have a gut feeling its reputation will grow over the years, and it will eventually be re-discovered as a classic. Seriously, this pretty much has something for everyone. There is drama, there is humor, there are thrills and twists and turns that make you dizzy with cinematic joy. And it is that rare opportunity to see an ensemble of tough, tenacious and terrific actresses join forces and kick some serious butt in a quality film. Take OCEANS EIGHT, mix a bit of THE GRIFTERS, add some KILL BILL and a dash of GONE GIRL, bake at 350, sit back and enjoy. This is one of those rare movies like THE DARK KNIGHT that miraculously blurs the line between artistic and commercial filmmaking. Davis is fabulous in one of her best performances, and the seemingly 11 foot tall Debicki pretty much steals the show. There is also a frighteningly fun supporting turn by GET OUT's Daniel Kaluuya that probably deserved a Supporting Actor nomination. If you like a good heist thriller, I don't think you'll find one much better than this.

I wanted to like this movie. I was told it was sort of spiritual sequel to Heat (as in what would happen in the aftermath). But, this movie was not that. It's a heist movie where the heist doesn't happen until the very end, is very quick, and isn't very interesting. Add in a bunch of plot conveniences and the movie just wasn't very good.

Its simple brutality is often staggering. Characters die suddenly, without fanfare and you're often never sure who is next. Davis obviously gives a knockout performance but so does Michelle Rodriguez who again proves she is so much better than what she usually gets to do.

The topic was nice. But the movie was really slow, 😕. I would not recommend to watch this movie because it felt like there was information that you couldn't understand about the topic. So in conclusion, DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM.

Riveting heist with a surprisingly strong second half. Steve McQueen's heist thriller Widows (2018) is more of a pensive crime drama on the consequences of men's actions against women and their families. Gillian Flynn's script is quite excellent with complex female characters, engaging crime heist planning, genuinely shocking twists, and tense action. Her writing is so astute in dragging toxic men through the gutter of their selfish, brutal actions. I like how she props up these ladies from various backgrounds and humanizes them all with great sympathy. I did find that Hustlers does a similar thing better in a more original way, but as far as heist thrillers go, Widows is pretty solid. It's not Heat, but it isn't a Heat ripoff like nearly every heist film nowadays. Steve McQueen's direction is pretty creative, but he focuses on the acting performances and lets them talk. I do wish he extended his directorial vision further with some crazier shots. Sean Bobbitt's cinematography is quite pretty, but remains in these long wide shots during certain moments I wish had more close-ups for some deeper feelings. The heist itself is excellent and made me wish Warner got McQueen to direct a Batman movie or something, but that just might be Hans Zimmer's pounding score during the action. His music could have helped the slower quiet scenes with something extra. Widows' drama itself is carried by the lead actresses. Viola Davis is excellent as usual as the all female heist leader Veronica. She's an interesting heist leader precisely because Davis captures her lack of experience with a hard personality full of despair and uncertainty. She comes off as very strong and resolute, despite her inexperience. I liked Viola Davis a lot in Widows. Liam Neeson is surprisingly ruthless in Widows as Harry Rawlings. He's in Widows a lot more than I thought he'd be as Davis' husband. Neeson feels emotional, then his turn is so stunning that I was pretty amazed. He has surprising chemistry with Viola Davis too in their romantic scenes. I absolutely adore the effortless beauty and talented dramatic actress that is Elizabeth Debicki. She is frighteningly vulnerable with her real dramatic performance as the sadly insecure and ruthlessly abused Alice. Her perfect figure and sorrowful make Alice all the more devastating as men use her and she bears the majority of pain in Widows as she quietly suffers. I hope Hollywood casts Elizabeth Debicki in more lead actress roles as I've loved her ever since she was Jordan in The Great Gatsby. I think that Debicki is the most underrated actress in Widows. Michelle Rodriguez is really compelling, more than most of her roles, as the widow Linda. She feels realistic and strong with a practical sense that helps Widows constantly feel grounded. Cynthia Erivo gives her best acting yet as hairdresser Belle with her silent strength of will. Carrie Coon has an intriguing brief role as the widow Amanda. Robert Duvall is great as the racist old money politician Tom Mulligan. Colin Farrell is outstandingly convincing as the sleazy new money Chicago politician Jack Mulligan. Molly Kunz is great as Farrell's quietly present and totally aware assistant. Brian Tyree Henry is really excellent as a hopeful Chicago politician with ties to Chicago gangs named Jamal Manning. Daniel Kaluua steals the entire movie whenever he's on screen as the viciously intimidating Jatemme Manning. Joe Walker's editing really leaves scenes and shots playing a bit too long pretty often during Widows. His slower cutting style gives the drama more weight, but disengages you from scenes easily. Widows feels slower than it is, making 129 minutes drag on too long at times. Adam Stockhausen's sleek modern production design makes Chicago look like the future in certain rich abodes, while maintaining a gritty realism for the Southside homes. Jenny Eagan's costumes have a chic, modern style with slick, contemporary, all black, heist outfits for the ladies that look very cool. Ken Diaz, Ma Kalaadevi Ananda, and Jacqueline Fernandez' make-up makes every single lady look breathtakingly gorgeous, especially Elizabeth Debicki's flawless look. I appreciate how much craftsmanship went into Widows. In conclusion, I really liked Widows for its feminist themes and killer heist sequence. All the acting is superb, but Widows is a slow burn that will surely turn away action fans not wanting to dive deeper into crime drama within this unique thriller.

director Steve McQueen assembles another finely-acted and heavily-dramatic film of ensemble actors Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall and David Kaluyah things get dark pretty fast when we see a heist taking place in Chicago then it appears all the men involved end up dead the main widow is Viola Davis trying her hardest to deal with her husband's death yet it turns out he and his accomplices stole money from the wrong person he owed this candidate Jamal Manning over $2,000 and when her life gets threatened she finds her late husband's journal and blueprints two other widows played by Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki face rough patches too; one is facing her shop being foreclosed and the other has no job and no credit so she moonlights as a companion for a rich socialite Davis has an idea to escape Manning's death threat so she and the others pull their resources together and pull off this one last job, it may actually work considering most wouldn't suspect a group of women and believing all they can do is sit back and grieve the loss of their loved ones Steve McQueen directs some really good actors, inputs a lot of drama into the script, and unravels some shocking story twists it takes a while to get to the actual heist though since we're focusing more on the characters themselves but it is thrilling to see it in actuality maybe 20 min couldve been shaved off and a few extra players and this wouldve been better on television but as is it shows the ultimate strength of a few women being just as capable as men when facing death and dark secrets

Amazing film. Storyline was very grounded. You felt their struggles and was rooting for them.

Imagine Oceans 11th fails and their WaGs (Womans and Girlfriends) gonna ride Oceans 12th...

Very strong female characters, interesting plot.