Since it doesn’t follow a naturalistic narrative model, I’m not going to bother poking too many holes in it rather, let’s just go along for the quasi-feminist and fun ride.ĭirected by Jocelyn Moorehouse, from a novel by radio dramatist Rosalie Ham, the plot melds quest and revenge together to play with and subvert anachronistic feminine stereotypes. The Dressmaker is part fairytale, part Outback Gothic horror story…and a complete feast for the eyes.

She has been living an exotic expatriate life in the world of European haute couture but now must solve the riddle of her past, and reconcile with her derelict and unruly mom, Molly (Judy Davis), who can possibly help her remember the events that led to her being cursed and cast out. She was mercilessly bullied and then “sent away” after mysterious circumstances involving the death of a schoolboy.Įven in her absence the townsfolk have reviled her and consigned her reputation to that of a banished witch. Meanwhile, the menfolk dominate this sexist Podunkville while the women become the worst stereotypes of conniving and useless 1950s doormats.īut all is set to change: Tilly returns, transformed from a freckle-faced schoolgirl to a high fashion glamazon. Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) grew up in an ugly, obscure, insular little town in Outback Australia. The Dressmaker is the story of a woman with a traumatic past who finds her own unique superpower and wreaks revenge on those evil folks who wronged her, many years ago. While Hollywood wracks its brains trying to reinvent and squeeze another buck out of the male-driven superhero genre, Australia has quietly crafted its own unlikely gem of a female-driven blockbuster.

Fierce femme Kate Winslet stuns in this cinematic feast ‘The Dressmaker’ for the eyes. Fierce femme Kate Winslet stuns in this cinematic feast for the eyes.

The dressmaker rosalie ham summary