There aren’t any capes or superpowers in this narrative; it’s the journey of a real-life hero, Lilly Ledbetter. Her fight against pay discrimination transformed history. And yet, in the film ‘Lilly,’ her legacy gets mired. Patricia Clarkson’s portrayal struggles amidst uneven direction. You’re left wondering if the film does justice to her remarkable story.
Matching the caliber of Frank Capra’s classics, ‘Lilly’ had potential. But director Rachel Feldman’s film stumbles more often than it triumphs. Attempting a fusion of documentary and drama, it loses its footing. Looking at Ledbetter’s pivotal contributions, one craves a portrayal with clarity and impact. What’s left is a puzzle where pieces never quite fit.
A Story Worth Telling
Here’s a woman whose fight commanded national attention—Lilly Ledbetter, who dared to take on her employer over gender pay discrimination. With the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 bearing her name, her mark on history is indelible. Sadly, the film ‘Lilly’ misses the mark on capturing the essence of her legacy. It clumsily navigates between documentary footage and acted scenes, diminishing the impact of her journey.
Struggles with Tone
The resulting film is not quite a documentary, nor is it fully dramatic. Rather, it hovers awkwardly, unable to decide on the story it desperately wants to tell. What should be a powerful narrative feels more like a patchwork of mismatched scenes.
The Climb at Goodyear
Adding richness, her enduring love with her husband Charles provided a cinematic backdrop. This relationship became another thread neglected in the film’s broader weaving of events. The emotional sinew that could’ve carried her story forward gets sidelined.
An Overabundance of Rich Material
Moreover, the film’s color choices for flashbacks create an oddly muted visual effect. Meant to signify history, they instead signal a creative misstep. Ledbetter’s moves on the ballroom dance floor, too, lack the spark to elevate her off-duty passions.
Courtroom Dynamics
Ultimately, she won her case, only to lose at higher courts. Yet, Ledbetter redefined pay standards with the Fair Pay Act. This courtroom drama, while illuminating, struggles under contrived dialogue and thematic overtness.
A Clash of Styles
Close-up shots, meant for intimacy, feel intrusive. Coupled with unneeded musical cues, they fail to evoke genuine emotion. Ledbetter’s drive to unearth wage inequalities deserved a more coherent narrative vehicle.
Ledbetter’s Quiet Strength
The film’s attempts at depicting Ledbetter’s family life come across as insubstantial. Family ties, integral to understanding her resilience, are portrayed with brevity, robbing the story of depth.
Final Thoughts on ‘Lilly’
The film closes with an attempt at gravitas that feels unearned. After meandering through Ledbetter’s history, it ends with a whimper rather than a testament to her impact.
Missed Opportunities
Patricia Clarkson’s performance struggles with the film’s choppy progression. She plays her role with dedication, yet it’s not enough to anchor the film’s aimless direction.
‘Lilly’ strives but doesn’t truly capture Lilly Ledbetter’s powerful legacy. A story this significant calls for a more unified portrayal to inspire and enlighten.
Source: Variety
