MOVIE REVIEW: 10 Days In A Madhouse will stick with you! - Best Feminist

Going on this journey with Nellie Bly, 10 Days

In A Madhouse will stick with you!

10 DAYS IN A MADHOUSE MOVIES REVIEWS BEST FEMINIST

5 out of 5 STARS



January 18, 2015 By Erika Jones

Sitting in the theater, I squirmed in my seat, impatient for the movie to begin and finally see Nellie Bly up on the big screen.

Well, okay. Cards on the table, I didn't really know anything about Nellie Bly before discovering this movie, save a few passing remembrances of grade school history classes various "important people to know" but I should have! Come on, a badass feminist icon getting a film all about her? Yes please. So finally, when the screen projected the familiar green rating sign and the lights dim in the theater, the first images of the film appeared.

At first I was a bit skeptical - a medical room, a woman being held down while being watched over by a well groomed authoritarian looking man (what turns out to be a fascinatingly complicated and quietly tragic performance by Christopher Lambert). The chilling scene is well done, but familiar. Oppressed girls, cruel white men, tears. Everything is terrible.

Was this what the film was going to be? I laid back in my seat, preparing myself to settle in for two hours of thrashing, beatings, and crying women, watching Nellie's spirit be broken by the system. oh what a world, isn't it Nellie?
But then the movie surprised me.

After the opening credits had rolled, (an unsettling yet mesmerizing slideshow of old photographs, slowly having been made to move- listing slightly to one side, or a rogue arm waving hauntingly back at the audience) the movie begins on a different note, we are finally introduced to a chipper bright eyed Nellie Bly (played by the equally exuberant newcomer Caroline Barry) as she approaches an old timey news building.

Bly's incessant smile is almost comical, in fact being pointed out and chastised as she talks to a superior inside the news building. It's there that she gets her famous marching orders - to feign insanity to get into 'the madhouse'- Blackwell's lunatic Asylum. Just these first 20 minutes of the movie prove a nice reprieve from the intensity of the opening scene, even having a few fun borderline silly moments and touching performances.

And Bly's fearless nature, seeming to ignore all of the patriarchal bonds shackled on her as she walks confidently into a room (and a career) full of men was exciting and inspiring. I was on board, I was hyped! and when the time came for Bly to go into the madhouse, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, anxious for how this aspect of her journey would be portrayed.

"I was on board, I was hyped! and when the time came for Bly to go into the madhouse, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, anxious for how this aspect of her journey would be portrayed."

The madhouse is dirty, and uncomfortable to watch. The abusive crew of negligent nurses in the asylum, spearheaded by a delightfully dark and unstable Ms. Grupe (Played by Alexandra Callas) deliver equal part disdainful indifference and malice to the patients of Blackwell's. There are cringe worthy scenes of violence, and an array of colorful patients, but what had me leaving the theater so satisfied was the theme of hope.

It is an interesting phenomenon, because even through all of the unspeakable cruelty and horrible conditions, you can't help but believe in the plucky Nellie Bly- due in no small part to newcomer Barry's ability to carry the story of our heroes infallible good nature so deftly. There is growth with many characters- good and bad, portraying a refreshing array of grays shaded in between the black and white of good and evil, caretaking and cruelty.

The film is intense, difficult to watch at times, and yes there is thrashing and crying. But what's important is what they're using the violence to show- not just to victimize these women, but to uplift and show the unyielding resilience of not only women, but people.

Going on this journey with Nellie, watching her fight and persevere, her famous unfailing optimism grows, changes, evolves- but it never quite leaves her, or us. 10 Days In A Madhouse will stick with you. The struggles, the injustices, the hope. but mostly I think it'll be that great wide smile of Nellie Bly's.

With International Women's Day approaching March 8th, I found this article from last year that stood out.

International Women’s Day: the 10 best feminists

On Sunday 8 March, it’s International Women’s Day. To celebrate, Helen Lewis pays tribute to 10 inspirational feminists

Have we missed someone from the list? Leave your suggestion in the comments below and it could feature in the alternative list next week

Aphra Behn

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 Portrait of Aphra Behn, 1670. Photograph: Oxford University

READ  STORY HERE

Barrier Breaking Story by Nellie Bly Captured for the Big Screen

Barrier Breaking Story by Nellie Bly Captured for the Big Screen

January 15

14:472016

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Caroline Barry plays Nellie Bly in the historical biopic based on Ms. Bly’s book, 10 DAYS IN A MADHOUSE.

Nellie Bly, the risk-taking investigative journalist working under Joseph Pulitzer, opened the gates of opportunity for women in journalism. Her audacious story is being retold in the upcoming film, 10 Days in a Madhouse starring Caroline Barry as Nellie Bly.

Daring journalist Nellie Bly opened the doors for women in the journalism field. She used her very first assignment for The World to show how audacious she was, risking her life for the sake of obtaining the information she needed. This story exposed the practitioners at Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum as portrayed in the upcoming film, 10 Days in a Madhouse, starring Caroline Barry, Christopher Lambert (Highlander, Mortal Kombat), Kelly Le Brock (Weird Science, The Woman in Red), Julia Chantrey (Mama, Mean Girls) and Russian celebrity actress Alexandra Callas.

The film was released first in New York City at AMC Empire 25 on November 11, 2015, and in select theaters nationwide on November 20. The movie is gaining ground as it continues to expand into theaters across the US.

Critics have raved about the movie, saying “Stunning!” – New York Times, “Must See” – Ms. Magazines, “Awesome, Incredible” – Popcorn Talk Network, “Demands To Be Watched!” Bust Magazine and “A delicate balance between a character study and an ensemble piece,” said ScreenPicks.

Nellie Bly pretended to be insane in order to be admitted into the asylum and experience the mistreatment of the female patients. Her exposé showed the world that women could write about things other than fashion and gossip. Her efforts also put the power to expose female mistreatment into another woman’s hands, tearing down the common misconception that women need men to save them. 

Bly wrote a book on her experience in the asylum, where she wrote, “The insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island is a human rat-trap. It is easy to get in, but once there it is impossible to get out.” Her experience not only showed the mistreatment of women by doctors and nurses, but also the vicious cycle that patients endure, where their condition never improves, but actually gets worse. 

Nellie Bly’s bravery, innovative tactics, and dedication paved the way for female journalists and opened the eyes of many to show that women are strong, and capable of knowing about more than fashion, homemaking, or gossip. Bly’s story is a prime example of a brave, dedicated, and strong woman. Her influence has made huge advancements in our fight for equality and human rights. Her courage is depicted in the accurate film adaptation of her book, 10 Days In A Madhouse by acclaimed director Timothy Hines. It is one of this fall’s must see movies.

10 Days in a Madhouse opened so late in the season the distributors and filmakkers decided to withdraw from the 88th Academy Awards and instead pur the film’s hat in the ring for the 89th Academy Awards to allow the film enough time for proper exposure to be fairly up for consideration. “We looked at the possibility of 2016 Oscar nomination and we determined that if we competed now, we would just land on the dancefloor as the song was ending,” says 10 Days director Timothy Hines. ARTICLE HERE.

10 DAYS IN A MADHOUSE :: MOVIES :: REVIEWS :: MS Magazine

Great review of a great movie. I have written my now review of this movie and will post it shortly.

Fearless Feminist Reporter Nellie Bly Hits the Big Screen

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You are here: Home / Arts / Fearless Feminist Reporter Nellie Bly Hits the Big Screen

Fearless Feminist Reporter Nellie Bly Hits the Big Screen

November 11, 2015 by Christina Maria Paschyn | 3 Comments

Modern-day news consumers have long forgotten about 19th-century reporter Nellie Bly, despite the fact that she was the most impressive journalist of her time. Feminist, adventurer and ultimate risk-taker, she traveled around the world in 72 days, and pushed her way to the top of the male-dominated news industry.

But she did her most impressive work in 1887 when, at just 23 years old, she pretended to be insane for an undercover report on the conditions at a women’s mental asylum on Blackwell’s Island in New York City. She spent 10 grueling and horrifying days in the institution but never regretted it, because her expose for Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World would shake the nation to its core. Thanks to her, the asylum was later demolished.

I have long thought that Nellie Bly’s life story would be perfect for the big screen. You can’t get much more daring and badass than Bly. Now finally, someone else agrees! A new film called 10 Days in a Madhouse tells the incredible story of Bly’s chilling undercover investigation.

Written and directed by Timothy Hines, I can honestly say this movie is a must-see. Nellie Bly’s heroism and courage truly come to life on the screen, thanks to the work of talented up-and-coming actor Caroline Barry. Barry is instantly magnetic as Bly, and it’s hard not to root for and fall in love with her character as the story progresses.

Hines also does a great job showing just how grotesque and abusive the conditions really were at Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum. In the film, Bly encounters creepy and uncaring doctors, sadistic nurses and several incarcerated women who are clearly not insane and should never have been sent to the asylum in the first place. Several are locked up for reasons that would make feminists rage, such as catching their husband having an affair, just being poor, or not being able to speak English well enough to plead their case.

I say incarcerated because, as the film shows, the asylum is truly a prison rather than a center for palliative care. Bly and her fellow “patients” must endure freezing cold baths, threadbare and sullied gowns, disgusting living conditions, stale food and beatings from the institution’s support staff. They are not allowed to read because it might stir their “fevered” emotions and are forced to drink “medicinal” concoctions of morphine at night.

The doctors refuse to allow the women to prove whether or not they really are insane, and easily dehumanize their wards. In one gut-wrenching scene, Bly forces herself to play an old piano in the asylum to drown out the cries of a patient being raped by a doctor. She also witnesses the murder of one of her friends at the hands of superintendent E.C. Dent, who takes no issue with treating the women as guinea pigs for his “scientific” work. Bly is very nearly killed by him too, until her release is secured in the nick of time.

When she finally does escape the asylum, Bly can’t remember how long she spent there. To the viewer, it seems like months have passed. This is not a criticism against the film; it is a compelling watch and Hines keeps the pacing flowing well. But it certainly is a mind-boggling realization that Bly witnessed and experienced all this brutality in little more than a week.

The script is based on Bly’s reporting and book about her experience, and the dialogue appears to be drawn from Bly’s writings. Unfortunately, this has the unintended consequence of sounding somewhat awkward and stiff to the contemporary moviegoer.

That said, all of the asylum patients are well played, most particularly by actors Julia Chantrey, Natalia Davidenko and Jessa Campbell. Christopher Lambert is strong as the superintendent, but his character comes off as largely one-dimensional, as do the tyrannical nurses. The film also misses a few opportunities to up the tension. For instance, I had hoped for a more cathartic climax when Bly confronts Dr. Dent after he has killed her friend.

However, these shortcomings do not detract from the overall awesomeness of the film, READ WHOLE REVIEW

’10 Days In A Madhouse’ Brings Back Nellie Bly

’10 Days In A Madhouse’ Brings Back Nellie Bly

The upcoming biopic 10 Days in a Madhouse – The Nellie Bly Story will be releasing in theaters soon, so of course I had to check out the trailer. The movie tells the story of 23-year-old journalist Nellie Bly, who goes undercover for world-famous editor Joseph Pulitzer. In an elaborate plan, Nellie fakes insanity in order to get her herself arrested and committed into Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum for women.  After successfully getting committed to the institution, Nellie discovers the shocking truths and injustices happening within the asylum walls. The young journalist goes on to reveal the ugly realities to the world, as she becomes one of the most influential journalists in American history.

With over 8000 submissions from hopefuls hoping to portray Nellie in the film, newcomerCaroline Barry was selected for the coveted role. This casting happening just two months after the young actress moved from Colorado to Los Angeles to pursue acting. In a recent interview, Caroline recounted her audition saying, “the director said he was looking for Nellie Bly’s smile and that optimistic spirit, and he felt my audition was the one that really had that smile and the brightness and optimism” Here, she refers to the director Timothy Hines who is known for his adaption of HG Wells’ War of the Worlds.

Alongside Caroline is actor Christopher Lambert, who stars as E.C. Dent, the head of the mental hospital. Lambert is known for his roles in such films as Highlander and Mortal Combat. He also appears in the upcoming movie Hail Caesar!, where he co-stars alongside Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and George Clooney.  In an interview on LA Talk Radio, Caroline revealed that Christopher brought authenticity to his role as antagonist Dr. Dent by portraying his motives as misguided good rather than evil.

Actress and former supermodel Kelly Le Brock, who you may recognize from her role in the John Hughes cult classic Weird Science, also (continued)