Herself (2020) User Reviews

Great movie

[carlosarranz-61093 · 8/10 · 6 December 2020]

I liked it -much more than previously expected, actually.

Might anyone help me to know, what's the Irish word Aido uses at the end of the movie? Something like 'Mahha' to my ears, regarding helping people each other.

I think It was ameaningful word but couldn't find It out!!

Soul Destroying Cinema...

[Xstal · 8/10 · 23 February 2021]

... but ultimately empowering, inspiring, enabling and encouraging, that from a beaten and broken relationship, with all the odds overwhelmingly in opposition, the spirit and drive to fight and survive remains, through an incredibly realistic performance from Clare Dunn who builds a performance of immense authenticity, courage and determination.

Intelligible movie about spousal abuse

[bananaspider · 7/10 · 10 January 2021]

This was an enjoyable movie with good actors especially the two little girls sweet as can be. Everything in this movie was pretty believable and not overdone.

Compelling Irish social and relationship drama

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 6 January 2021]

"Herself" (2020 release from Ireland; 97 min.) brings the story of Sandra and her family. As the movie opens, Sandra is playful with her 2 young daughters , but when her husband Gary gets home, he is enraged and beats her up badly. Sandra and her girls leave Gary and find temporary shelter with government help. But things are tough. Sandra works 2 jobs, and still can barely keep things together. Then one day she sees an ad for self-building a house for only 35,000 Euros... At this point we are less than 15 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from British director Phyllida Lloyd, who has previously brought us the excellent "The Iron Lady" and the original "Mama Mia". But in truth, this film is a labor of love from Clare Dunne, the Irish actress who not only plays the lead character Sandra, but also came up with the story and co-wrote the script. It is clear she gives her all in this film. Beware: this is not an easy film to watch, for a number of reasons (the spousal abuse scenes are brutal), but also because of the thick *and authentic( Irish accents, which at times entire sentences went over my head. Apart from the relationship drama, the film also shines a light on an urgent social need in Dublin, namely the lack of affordable housing, But wait, where have we heard this before? Indeed this very theme was also central to the 2018 Irish film "Rosie", starring Sarah Greene. Back to "Herself": much of the film you get this sense of dread, as if yet more bad stuff can happen to Sarah. A comedy this ain't.

"Herself" premiered at the 2020 Sundance film festival, yes exactly a year ago already. Then a little thing called COVID-19 changed the world, and wrecked the movie industry to its core. The movie was given a limited one-week theater run the first week of 2021, before it will shift to Amazon Instant Video. My art-house theater here in Cincinnati thankfully had it on its slate this week. The Tuesday evening screening where I saw this at was attended okay (about 10 people). If you are in the mood for a heavy social and relationship drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (if you still can), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.

A spirited drama of abuse and resilience

[Sir_AmirSyarif · 6/10 · 11 January 2021]

In tone and aesthetic, Phyllida Lloyd's 'Herself' is reminiscent of dramatic, intimate films by Ken Loach or Mike Leigh. Sadly, neither the script nor the treatment of the story are up to the task of the great films directed by those veteran British filmmakers. While it has its good intentions, solid performances, and is well-told by the filmmakers who obviously have invested an inkling of heart into the effort, the film serves up some clichés and struggles to maintain a balance between a heartwarming story of a mother's love and commentary on a system that stacks the odds against the victim.

Irish movie, mother raising her two girls and dealing with an abusive husband.

[TxMike · 15 January 2021]

My wife and I managed to watch this on Amazon streaming movies. With the at times thick Irish accent we didn't always understand the dialog but it was still clear what was going on.

A nice, caring, and hard-working mother of two girls has an abusive husband, the kind that will be very caring at times but when angry will get very physically abusive. She has no choice after one especially violent beating, she has to move out and get government help with housing, typically a hotel room.

She works two jobs, one of them helping to care for an older lady doctor who, when she found out about the situation, offered the land behind her house, if the lady wanted to build her own house. So with the internet and lots of friendly volunteer help, the house went up.

We found this to be a very worthwhile movie, even though we see some of the abuse depicted most of the movie is the mother finding ways to care for her girls and get on with rebuilding her life, literally and figuratively.

Would have been cool...

[jlhawaii · 6/10 · 14 January 2021]

But why couldn't they let the character and her daughter live in peace at the end? Instead the antagonist torches everything she worked for. More likely than not, that house didn't have any insurance on it. Not sure how she's going to rebuild? Sure he's in prison, but that's not enough justice for the character.

Herself

[dominguezerin · 7/10 · 12 January 2021]

"Ask better questions."

An Irish accent is going to get an extra half star from me by default because I think that it is a beautiful accent. Though it became predictable after a certain point, I still thought that the film was executed well. Nothing particularly stood out as fantastic, but that it isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it. There were moments that had me on the edge of my seat. For the sad story that it was, it ended on a great note that I thought was hopeful.

I feel compelled to recommend

[pauldunne-87690 · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

Everyone to see this movie with an open heart. In Celtic times the community gathered together to build a home for the newly married couples. Unfortunately the economic construction of our society today monetises everything to a such a degree that only those who can afford to, will carry the weight of mortgage for the best part of our lives to be able to own their own home. We all sign up to this rat race and think it is a way of living. Occasionally something like COVID makes us question what life is all about. Is it about paying a mortgage? I like this film because the main character is not waiting for a council house but is driven to achieve building her own home and life.

Terrific performance

[steviegjd · 7/10 · 8 January 2021]

Clare Dunne is excellent in this film. Her vulnerability and trauma are palpable. The story, which she wrote, is a bit formulaic. But it's a worthy film. There are some corny and melodramatic moments. But the heart of the film is true.

Lovely

[atractiveeyes · 8/10 · 9 January 2021]

It's a beautiful emotional movie. Well it has its corny moments but it's still great with a nice story and powerful topics. Lead performance is nice and real. Herself is a very good lovely movie that has a beautifully written story that tackles important topics.

mom with grit

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 4 January 2021]

Greetings again from the darkness. We are getting more films these days with stories about strong women, and it's quite inspirational. This one is courtesy of director Phyllida Lloyd (THE IRON LADY 2011, MAMMA MIA! 2008) and co-writers Malcolm Campbell and Clare Dunne, the latter of whom also stars in the film. We've all seen the reports that domestic abuse has increased during the pandemic, so the film is timely, as well as disturbing to watch at times - and also informative, hopeful, and uplifting.

Sandra (Ms. Dunne) lives a dangerous home life in Ireland with her husband Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson) and their two daughters Molly (Molly McCann) and Emma (Ruby Rose O'Hara). The danger isn't derived from a shady neighborhood or faulty home wiring, but rather the explosive temper of Gary, and his tendency to physically abuse his wife. One particular incident traumatizes the youngest daughter and pushes Sandra to take the kids and escape. What follows is a look at the bureaucratic and legal challenges faced by a woman in this situation, as well as the grit and determination of a mother who believes she and her kids deserve a better life.

State-sponsored housing consists of a motel where Sandra and her daughters are forced to use a back entrance so as not to inconvenience the paying customers. Sandra's flashbacks and visions of being abused by the father of her children are never absent for long. The mandated drop-offs so dad can spend time with the kids go beyond awkward and are filled with a dread that only a parent can fully understand.

When red tape and policy offer little hope of an improved life, Sandra turns to Google and YouTube, and soon she is recruiting folks to help her build a home on the cheap. One of her part time jobs leads to a generous offer that kicks things into gear. Peggy (Harriet Walker) is a retired doctor who Sandra is contracted to clean house for - just as Sandra's mother had done. Peggy offers some of her unused land, and next thing we know, Sandra is urging a local building contractor, Aido (Conleth Hill) to spearhead the effort. He's initially reluctant to join the cause, but his heart is bigger than his tough-guy exterior leads us to believe.

Director Lloyd's film serves up some clichés, and struggles to maintain a balance between a heart-warming story of a tenacious mother and commentary on a system that has no place for those so independent minded. However, the performance of Ms. Dunne is so strong and creates such an easy bond with viewers, that we find ourselves feeling defensive towards her during her legal and emotional battles, and happiness as her community comes together to build. A couple of twists/surprises prevent the film from every devolving into heavy melodrama, and there is a clever use of music throughout. An early glimpse of a Lego house is a nice touch. Anyone so determined to dig out of a bad situation and re-boot their life, and the lives of their kids, deserves just what they are after ... a better life. Amazon Studios will release HERSELF in select theaters December 30th, 2020 and on Prime Video January 8th, 2021

The (luckiest) / (unluckiest) woman alive. (Delete as appropriate)

[Victor_Fallon · 5/10 · 10 September 2021]

The absurdity and inescapability of the modern day housing crisis is a rich topic. Add our main character's abusive relationship and we have a strong setup. I'm rooting for her. How will she get through this?

Then a borderline-magical old woman gives her 'spare' land on which to build her own house. Yeah. I think I see a way out of her predicament... (rolls eyes so hard they whizz round like a fruit machine).

This act of alturism inspires others to manifest from the heavens and, lo-and-behold, a ragtag bunch of friendly dwarves, sorry, I mean builders, turn up to provide materials and services for free. They might as well be singing "heigh-ho, it's off to work we go". And then everybody clapped.

So, as an empowerment story, it is utter drivel. It yanks luck and generosity out of its butt when it needs to, instead of relying our heroine's inner resilience. As a drama about 'the system' or spousal abuse, it's patronising and depressing and has absolutely nothing to say to people who suffer in similar circumstances every day.

However, seen as a straight-up fairytale, it's occassionally charming with good performances, some likeable characters and well-trodden emotional beats. The ending is intended, I think, as a 'pheonix from the flames' moment, but comes off as cruel and unjust, signifying nothing.

Difficult to recommend.

Emotional and Heart Gripping

[joshuad-59015 · 7/10 · 20 January 2021]

Its a slow paced movie. But once you get into it, it really kind of grips you. The struggle of a mother wanting a good life for her kids is beautifully portrayed in this movie.

Herself

[marmar-69780 · 7/10 · 11 January 2021]

Herself is one good drama that showed how terrible domestic abuse really is and how people suffer because of it and even children the most perhaps.Characters were here very real and i was able to connect with them in a good way which is little surprise cause except this one i felt from previous year realese where characters were also very real with world and that was Sorry we missed you ,another British film that has a social commentary in it.Herself was a food drama with some sad and happy moments

Better Than Anticipated.

[pdbodyshop · 6/10 · 24 January 2021]

A bit slow in the beginning but turns out to be a good movie with very good cast. Definitely worth the watch.

Absolutely brilliantly inspiring

[mollyhicks · 8/10 · 8 January 2021]

This is exactly the movie we all need to watch right now. Deeply moving characters reflecting our flawed human experience, and the beauty that can be found in tragedy.

Tragic and beautifully conceived portrayal of domestic abuse, however highly improbable.

[fciocca · 6/10 · 10 January 2022]

"Herself" is an Amazon original movie that follows the story of Sandra, a young mother that escaped from an abusive marriage, enduring a lot of psychological and physical pain. All this while she tries to give her daughters a normal life, by finding a permanent accommodation. The movie treats some interesting topics: trying to be a good role model for your kids, despite living a daily trauma that will never completely disappear. At first it also shows how crazy the housing market is in our era. Unfortunately the movie loses partly its credibility when a doctor, for whom she works as a cleaning lady, decides to give part of her land to Sandra, in order to build her small house, by also lending her the money to do that. Never saw such generosity in my entire life. Because it wants to depict events in a realistic way, I cannot just pass over this writing choice. I was happy to see how the director slowly built up the main character and her daughters, by showing the huge difference between one another when it came to the relationship with their father.

The photography is really simple but very effective for this kind of narration. The cast is good, there are some actors that I have never seen before, but that I have liked very much. I was surprised to see Harriet Walter. I am always happy when such big actors that worked in big blockbusters during their careers, decide to take part in these smaller projects. Did not like the choice to use pop music as soundtrack for the film, it was very anticlimactic. "Herself" is far from being a perfect product, but it is overall a nice motion picture that shows the tragic condition of a woman victim of domestic violence during our times.

I Believe You

[ruadhcaileag · 8/10 · 18 January 2021]

"You always ask why didn't I leave him? But you should be asking, why didn't he stop?"

As most stories of domestic abuse, the woman has to defend herself and her actions against an abusive, narcissistic partner.

This story must be watched.

Love shouldn't hurt.

Saving the screws.........for the new house! Just brilliant

[therealjaysmoke · 7/10 · 8 July 2021]

Am speechless! This was soooo powerful on so many levels. Great story, beautiful direction and wonderful characters. I had to fight back the tears of sadness and later of joy.

Home Improvement

[jadepietro · 8/10 · 9 January 2021]

IN BRIEF: Well acted and moving story about the plight of battered wives and lives.

JIM'S REVIEW: (RECOMMENDED) The aftereffects of domestic abuse linger in the compelling family drama, Herself. We are immediately thrown into Sandra (Clare Dunne) dilemma in a sudden and harrowing scene as this mother is battered by her lout of a husband, Gary (a chilling Ian Lloyd Anderson), and forced find other lodgings with her two small children. She tries to literally rebuild her life and relies upon the kindness of friends and strangers to guide her way. Sandra decides to start life anew and secretly build her own home for her family

While I was completely engaged throughout the movie, the overall premise seemed to contrived and easily achieved. That Sandra could begin this physically and emotionally home improvement project, while holding two menial jobs, would be challenging for anyone, but to also latch onto a group of do-goers with the knowledge of house construction so quickly who ply their talents to help her on a daily basis (including weekends) was too much for your cynical reviewer to believe.

That said, this Irish import is very well done due to its fine cast, several touching moments, and its central theme of domestic abuse as one woman's struggle to survive. That endurance test is quite convincingly told by Ms. Dunne (who also wrote the screenplay with Malcolm Campbell). She is wonderful in her role and Harriet Walker as her sympathetic mother figure and the aforementioned evil Mr. Anderson) compliment her every step of the way.

Assuredly directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Herself is a case for home improvement of the highest order, as it depicts a troubling issue that just will not go away. (GRADE: B)

Good But Plays It Safe

[sweidman-28016 · 7/10 · 15 January 2021]

"It's land going to waste. Use it. Build a house for you and your girls."

Herself is the story of young mother Sandra who escapes her abusive husband and fights back against a broken housing system. She sets out to build her own home and in the process rebuilds her life and re-discovers herself. I had some high hopes for this one. Last year at Sundance, I head people talk about the movie and how much they liked it. Another intriguing aspect to me is how Clare Dunne wrote the screenplay and decided to take the lead role, but didn't direct it. Usually you see people write and direct, or direct and act, but it's uncommon to do just writing and acting. While Herself didn't exactly meet my expectations, the movie did hit some of the notes I wanted to make it a good movie. Clare Dunne leads both in an acting sense and by simply carrying the whole movie. She is really good throughout. I could feel for her the whole time and wanted the best possible outcome. Dealing with her partner's abuse and keeping her kids away from him becomes a struggle and what motivates the building a house idea. I liked seeing how everyone wanted the best as well and them coming together to help out with the situation. It's nice seeing a feel-good situation in a depressing matter. Meeting new characters and knowing some of their stories is nice rather than focusing just on these primary characters.

I'm not quite sure if it's a screenplay problem or an issue in direction, but they don't flow in a way that I wanted. The story is sad and it keeps that consistent throughout. Issue after issue spawns in the story where it doesn't come to a surprise anymore. About halfway through I had already seen so many tragedies that it didn't affect me much anymore. Except for the beginning and a final incident, I was so used to it by now that I wanted more. And at times it really feels like it's playing it safe. They could've done more but it was held back by trying to get that feel-good aspect. A few times they have upbeat music playing while building the house where it feels too motivational in a sense. That being said, it is a good screenplay and good direction. Just the two together didn't work out. Herself is still a good watch. Without the high hopes, it's just what you expect or need. This is a wholesome movie and a good kickstart release for 2021.

Meitheal (an old Irish term), rather than Herself

[frukuk · 2/10 · 22 April 2023]

Really, this is much more about the kindness of strangers, than it is about self-reliance. And while it's worthy and well made, it does cover ground that's been covered many times before. Hence the low rating.

I also feel the ending is both too predictable and also too much of an over-egging.

Looking back over the whole film, it did feel like many of the challenges faced by Sandra were too easily overcome, especially by the recruiting of surprisingly willing helpers. Not that I wanted Sandra to suffer even more after the appalling assault at the beginning of the film. But it felt too much like a positive outcome was virtually inevitable.

I did enjoy the court scene, when I think things really came to life. But that is a very small part of the whole.

Nice little heartfelt movie

[stevelivesey67 · 7/10 · 24 March 2022]

Decent low budget Irish movie covering themes of spousal abuse, homelessness and child custody.

Everything is done well especially the acting and writing.

If I was picky I would say that the courtroom scene was a little underplayed and the ending somewhat predictable with no payoff in the husband getting arrested.

Herself - David and Goliath Saga

[arthur_tafero · 6/10 · 8 November 2022]

Herself is a gritty little film about an abused wife who takes her kids away from their living hell, and tries her best to reconstruct a new life for both herself and the kids. A daunting task, to say the least. It is the characterizations in this film that make the story work so well. Director Phyilida Lloyd does a wonderful job with a superior screenplay and fine acting to boot. There is nothing more infuriating to millions of common people than fighting with the local bureaucracies that limit our upward social movement with mind-numbing rules and regulations that crush even the most determined of us out there. Sandra, fortunately, is not one to be easily crushed. See it with your family.