Widows

Films are released by KRS Releasing Ltd

Based on the popular U.K. television series of the same name, created by Lynda La Plante, Widows is directed, co-written and produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen, whose 12 Years a Slave won the 2013 Academy Award® for Best Picture.

When McQueen approached renowned screenwriter Gillian Flynn ( Gone Girl) to co-write the script, she says she jumped at the opportunity.

According to Flynn, the story offers a twist on the typical heist film in that each character that intersects comes from different ethnic, financial and social background. “My favourite part about heist films are when the team comes together. I love that,” she notes.

Producer Iain Canning was approached by McQueen early on about the project.

The filmmakers assembled an impressive cast of actors for the film. McQueen says it was very important to make his cast feel comfortable and at-home, so to speak.

Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis was cast as Veronica Rawlins, the lead widow of the film who must pick up the pieces of her life after her husband, Harry (played by Neeson), dies in a failed heist.

Davis says it’s a role that she never imagined she’d be asked to portray. Once getting over the pleasant surprise of being approached for the role, Davis says she found herself drawn to her character as well as to the story.

In the film, Veronica is married to career criminal Harry Rawlins, played by Liam Neeson. When you first meet them, the couple have already been damaged by a tragic death.

She decides to live by finishing the heist Harry was supposed to commit. Step one: employ her crew, the widows of Harry’s cohorts in crime.

Davis notes that her chemistry with Neeson was natural, especially in the ‘bed’ scenes.

Michelle Rodriguez plays Linda, a widow struggling to keep her family and dress shop afloat after her husband’s death. Rodriguez admits she was afraid to take on the role at first.

Ultimately, it was her decision to face her fears of the unknown that made up her mind.

Rodriguez describes her character as being naïve and trusting when we first meet her.

Elizabeth Debicki, cast as Alice – the Polish immigrant and controlled wife – says she wanted to be part of the film in order to work with McQueen.

Debicki describes her character, married to Florek (played by Jon Bernthal), as the least savvy, most sheltered of the widows.

Debicki observes that the process of joining up with the other widows and taking part in the heist develops her sense of self-worth and self-esteem.

Cynthia Erivo, in her first major film role, portrays Belle, an ally who steps in to help the widows in their quest.

Erivo loves that her character is strong and complex.

A politician who figures into the widows’ master plan is Jack Mulligan, played by Colin Farrell. Farrell admits he feels a bit sorry for his character, whose life was already mapped out for him based on his family lineage. The son of Tom Mulligan, played by Robert Duvall, Jack is meant to follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming the next alderman for the 18th Ward of Chicago.

Not only is Jack dealing with his own personal demons but he is running against an enigmatic opponent.

The feelings were mutual, according to Duvall, who found Farrell to be an exceptional actor.

Duvall says not only did he relish the opportunity to work with McQueen, he was attracted to his character and the complicated love-hate, father-son relationship.

Brian Tyree Henry, best known for his work in the acclaimed TV series Atlanta, plays Jamal Manning, Jack’s political opponent in the 18th Ward and a man to whom, Veronica discovers, Harry owes money. Henry says he knew he had to be a part of this ‘special project’.

Kaluuya, best known for his role in the acclaimed thriller Get Out, is also Jamal’s protector. “It’s easy to think of Jatemme as the muscle, as you know, the bully or the henchman that does what Jamal wants, but I think that Jatemme really wants the best for his brother and wants to be right there,” Henry explains. “Whereas Jamal loves him dearly, but I don’t want to say he’s using him as a pawn, but at the end of the day Jamal is going to do what he’s got to do to get where he’s going to get. But there is a true depth to their relationship there, ‘cause it’s just been us. You know what I mean?”

Kaluuya sees his character as Jamal’s street alter ego.

Classification: 15