Eleanor Reviews

***** When their husbands are killed in a botched heist, four widows form an unlikely alliance to overcome the debt left behind. In the hands of a less skilful or sensitive director, Widows  could have easily become a film rife with cliches and eye-rolling parody. Instead, with Steven McQueen behind the camera, this unassuming film has become, almost undoubtedly, one of the movies of the year. An articulate study of grief, social politics and female determination (as well as an impressive explosion or two along the way), Widows  makes for a gripping, emotionally intelligent piece of filmmaking. This isn't just a heist movie with females at the helm - it's a smart depiction of women under pressure, as well as the juxtaposition of the haves and have nots, and the corruptible nature of power. From the very opening, we are plunged into a world of violence and ruthlessness. Juxtaposing contrasting scenes of home life with the drama of a heist gone wrong, we find