Location: Maryland
Directed by Paul Greengrass
Written by Paul Haggis
Main Cast
Anne Hathaway as Young Charlotte Winters
Diane Keaton as Old Charlotte Winters
Mena Suvari as Beatrice Winters
Jennifer Connelly as Jeannette Braddock
Kimberly Elise as June Watson
Peter O'Toole as Grandpa John Winters
Piper Laurie as Grandma Roberta Winters
Tagline: "In her mind, she was the last woman standing..."
Synopsis: The Last Woman Standing tells the assumed life of Charlotte L. Winters, who was not only a nurse during the first World War but an activist for civil rights and womans right. Her life was a constant battlefield because of her committment to what she believed in.
Charlotte was born in rural Alabama circa the 1890s where she was raised by her grandparents, John and Roberta, former slave owners who were extremely racist and ignorant like many others during this time period. Her parents had ran away together after she was born to get away from the life that was overwhelming them. Also living with her was her older sister Beatrice who grew to share her grandparents prejudice beliefs. As a child and a teenager Charlotte could recall incidents where Beatrice joined in on the tormenting of African Americans and even at one point was involved in the lynching of one.
Disagreeing with her families lifestyle she began speaking out against it, which caused her community to turn on her and blame her family. With no place to go and her life potentially in danger, she moved to New York where she met two people that changed her life forever. Jeannette Braddock, a fierce single mother of two who was fighting for women to get the basic rights that they deserved, and June Watson, an African American maid who worked for snotty upperclass Caucasians only to get paid little to nothing. Together the three women began a friendship that lasted a lifetime.
During the First World War, Charlotte saved over 50 America lives, yet did not receive any recognition because of her reputation as a civil rights activist. After the aftermath of the war, Charlotte returned to Alabama to visit her dying grandfather Beatrice felt that Charlotte had left her out to dry with no support of anything so she kindly told Charlotte to leave and never come back again. Charlotte complied.
A few years passed and women were granted their rights. A few decades passed and African Americans were given their rights. Charlotte along with her best friends June and Jeannette were finally honored for their perserverance in civil rights by the one and only Martin Luther King Jr. Charlotte was the last woman standing.
What the Press would say:
The Last Woman Standing examines the racial and sexist qualities that not only our country, but our world were known for decades ago and even today. The assumed life of one female veteran who risked her life to serve our country and our people is finally recognized. Examined are the nasty behaviors of Charlotte's family, community, and the world at the time - Paul Greengrass does a good job at depicting them precisely. The script was also well written and precise - grasping the dialect of the early 1900s. Each of the actors did a great job in commanding the attention of the audience. From Anne Hathaway's remarkable tendency to draw in the viewer and gain sympathy to Mena Suvari's great depiction of a bitter racist sister. Piper Laurie and Peter O'Toole were also distinguished in their roles. An extremely sensitive part of the movie was when Peter and Piper took their kids to the creek to witness the jumping of an African American boy. Jennifer Connelly played the quirky friend well although it is unlike any other role of hers before. Kimberly Elise played the struggling friend very well. Overall this was a very successful project much thanks to Paul Greengrass, Paul Haggis, and the gifted cast.
Best Picture
Best Director - Paul Greengrass
Best Actress - Anne Hathaway
Best Supporting Actress - Diane Keaton, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Connelly, Kimberly Elise, Elizabeth Taylor
Best Supporting Actor - Peter O'Toole
Best Original Screenplay - Paul Haggis
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