Review: 'The Dressmaker' feels like a good stage adaptation
Kate Winslet is Tilly Dunnage in “The Dressmaker.” (Shaw Organisation)
Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 118 minutes (~2 hours)
“The Dressmaker” is a revenge Western drama based on the book of the same name about the titular character’s return to her hometown. She discovers the secret to her childhood exile, which has been hidden by the townsfolk for all these years. It stars Kate Winslet (Myrtle “Tilly” Dunnage), Judy Davis (molly Dunnage), Liam Hemsworth (Teddy McSwiney), Hugo Weaving (Sergeant Horatio Farrat), and Sarah Snook (Gertrude “Trudy” Pratt). It is rated PG-13.
“The Dressmaker” might be a drama at its core, but it pulls in so many elements from other genres and mediums to form a distinctive film that’s hard to define. It feels primarily like a stage adaptation (which it isn’t), and utilises all the strengths of theatre while using the film medium to negate the drawbacks. It’s an interesting approach to take, and one that pays off handsomely.
Trudy Pratt (Sarah Snook) flaunts her new dress in “The Dressmaker.” (Shaw Organisation)
Highlights
Dramatic reveals and beats
The dramatic elements of “The Dressmaker” are both suspenseful and impactful, with a stage quality that’s hard to replicate on screen. It speaks to how seasoned the cast members are, when even the smallest bit of exposition hits you with such emotional force. The unfolding tableau of events keeps you intrigued as you wonder what exactly is the secret behind Tilly’s exile.
Kate Winslet’s performance as Tilly Dunnage
Kate Winslet combines vengeful focus with sympathetic vulnerability in her portrayal of Tilly Dunnage, giving us a femme fatale that we can empathise with. Even though she’s seemingly singled-minded in her quest for the truth, Tilly also has her own needs and insecurities that add depth to her character. This multi-faceted depiction of Tilly creates a protagonist that’s both admirable and relatable.
Sergeant Farrat is reserved but hilarious
Sergeant Farrat is quirky character that seems gimmicky at first, but turns out to be one of of the most human characters in the film. Hugo Weaving could have gone overboard with Farrat’s secret passion, but instead chooses to keep that side of his character tightly restrained. Only once does he let it all out, but by that time we already know how much effort Farrat has taken to keep his odd side in check.
Heartbreaking twist
A painful development in the plot acts as the impetus for Tilly to progress to Act Three, and it’s also a completely unexpected one. You’re not quite sure what has happened when it actually occurs, and it’s more of a slow, agonising realisation than a sudden shock. The movie makes you feel every sorrowful moment from the perspective of different characters, which helps endear Tilly even more to you.
Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving) assures Tilly in “The Dressmaker.” (Shaw Organisation)
Letdowns
Resolution is too neat and quick
It’s too coincidental to see how the fates of all the characters are resolved in rapid succession at the end of the film. They’re either firmly on Tilly’s side or against her, as the film gives them their send-offs one after another. Everything feels sudden and contrived, and while we might be happy for Tilly, we’re also wondering why everyone decides to react at the same time.
Teddy (Liam Hemsworth) assures Tilly in “The Dressmaker.” (Shaw Organisation)
“The Dressmaker” is what a movie adaptation of a stage play should be like, even if those aren’t its original roots. It’s a charming drama that more than holds its own among the plethora of Westerns around.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Definitely.
Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you like Westerns.
“The Dressmaker” opens in cinemas 28 January, 2016 (Thursday).
