Sally Hawkins Is My New BFF. In My Head.

Exactly a week ago today, I went to a screening of Made In Dagenham. I didn't write about it sooner, because I'm lazy. But anyway, for financial reasons I'm on a self-imposed no-movies-in-theaters ban. I just can't afford it. That being the case, I wasn't expecting to see this movie until it came out on DVD but as luck or fate would have it, an opportunity to go to a free screening followed by a Q&A with Sally Hawkins arose, and I was very happy to pounce on it. 

 I confess I'm a sucker for anything "feminist" so I was predisposed to like the movie. And even before going I'd heard good things, and I really like Sally Hawkins, so you know it was going to have to suck majorly for me to do anything but love it.  And love it I did. I want to think I'm not the only one though. The movie inspired our screening crowd to cheer at some scenes and hiss at others. Twice I got misty-eyed. It's that whole girl-power thing I can't help but love.

In any case, after the screening Sally Hawkins came out, adorably humble when the interviewer told her how great she was and how happy they were she was there. I'm sorry to say, however, that adorable Sally Hawkins is quite a rambler. It was a little bit awkward. Any question they would ask her would take her forever to answer, and she never quite got to the point. People got fidgety, started shifting in their seats. Ok, it was really awkward. In any case, I still found her adorable, if long winded.

By the time the questions were over, only maybe half the audience remained and I decided to head for the front of the stage in the hopes of getting a pic. A small group had gathered and Sally was literally on her hands and knees signing things for people. These people came prepared! They had posters, DVD's and pictures. Why it didn't occur to me to take my Persuasion DVD with me, I just don't know. In any case, I did have a note pad and some pens, but just as I got up to her her manager was telling her that she really needed to get up off the floor. I didn't want to hold her up too much, so I didn't ask her to sign anything, but I did ask if she'd mind taking a quick picture, which she agreed to, getting back on her knees for so we'd both fit in the frame. As she positioned herself, I told her I loved her as Anne Elliot, and she replied, "In Persuasion, you mean?" and I said, "Yes, it's my favorite" (I don't know why I said that, since Pride and Prejudice is actually my favorite, but it's what came out!). Anyway, she said "Yes, it's my favorite too" and smiled. And as far as I'm concerned, the fact that we not only talked, but talked Persuasion, and how it's both our favorite (albeit not entirely true) now makes us BFF's. Or at least I'm that much closer to it than I was with Halle Berry. At least. I so wanted to ask her about the lovely (and by lovely, I mean hot) Rupert Penry-Jones, but there was just no time, unfortunately. Maybe next time. Right, because there'll be a next time.

Maybe I was delusional in thinking Sally might get a Golden Globe nomination, or maybe I was just wishing it for my new BFF, I don't know, but I'm bummed she didn't. And Angelina Jolie got one for The Tourist. Ok, whatever. Anyway, I know an Academy Award would be a long shot, but if she did get it, it'd be great because I thought she was that good in this.

It's also really disappointing that the movie is not getting all that much attention in the States (that I'm aware of). I think it'd make for a great Girls' Night Out movie: a group of girlfriends, dinner, the movie and then some drinks after to discuss how far we've come and how great the movie was. Just sayin'. Maybe when it comes out on DVD I'll have a Girls' Night In...

Seriously, if you're a woman, I don't see how you can watch this and not get chills. You should want to rush out and see it!