Bozeman Magazine

Based on a true story, 'Maudie' is an unlikely romance. The reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke) hires a fragile yet determined woman named Maudie (Sally Hawkins) to be his housekeeper. Bright-eyed but hunched, with crippled hands, Maudie yearns to be independent, to live away from her protective family—and she also yearns, passionately, to create art. Unexpectedly, Everett finds himself falling in love. 'Maudie' charts Everett's efforts to protect himself from being hurt, Maudie's deep and abiding love for this difficult man, and her surprising rise to fame as a folk painter. Directed by Aisling Walsh, 'Maudie's' talented cast—particularly Sally Hawkins in the title role—breathes multi-layered depth into a story that only skims the surface of a fascinating life and talent. Rated PG-13, the film runs 112 minutes.