Slick US saga is bang to rights
Blanchett as Republican wife against equal rights movement
MRS AMERICA
BBC2, 9pm EQUAL rights for women and the heart of American politics in the 70s are explored in this glossy all-star saga.
Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Banks, Margo Martindale and Tracey Ullman head up the cast of this nine-part feminist series.
With gorgeous costumes and slick sets, this has the feel of a Mad Men period drama.
It follows the true story of the battle over the Equal Rights Amendment as a movement fought for the constitution to be changed.
But there was an unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman called Phyllis Schlafly (Blanchett), aka “the sweetheart of the silent majority”.
On the other side, the likes of feminists Gloria Steinem (Byrne), Bella Abzug (Martindale), Jill Ruckelshaus (Banks) and Betty Friedan (Ullman), iconic women of the era, are campaigning for change.
Meanwhile, Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba) is the first black woman elected to the United States congress and plans to run for president.
The first episode of a double bill focuses on Schlafly, an intelligent Republican wife and mother of six who opposes the Equal Rights Amendment. Despite being constantly sidelined by men, she insists: “I’ve never been discriminated against.
“I think some women like to blame sexism for their failures instead of admitting they didn’t try hard enough.”
When the feminists hear her thoughts, they brand her a “right-wing nut job from Illinois”.
In the second episode, the focus shifts to the legendary Gloria Steinem, who launches a feminist magazine.
Some knockout performances make for a powerhouse production.
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