The First "Suffragette" Trailer Gives Us a Look at a Potential Oscar Front Runner

Carey Mulligan

It looks like the beginning of the Oscars prospecting is upon us. First there was the Cannes Film Festival, which presented a plethora of debuts from potential nominees. Now we are seeing trailers for films playing during the prime time known as awards season. Among the first to show themselves is the star-studded vehicle known as Suffragette. This film, directed by Sarah Gavron, has such an impeccable cast of nominees and winners that it would seem ridiculous to not immediately put this on the calendar. Thankfully, the first trailer makes it all the more promising in the process.

I know that I have had a tepid relationship with discussing Meryl Streep on this website in the past. For better or worse, I think she is talented despite taking away focus from younger performers not by her own fault, but the public's perception. This trailer may very well be a great example of this case. While she doesn't have the most screen time, she will likely be singled out as the potential standout of the film. Of course, there's no attention paid to Oscar nominees Carey Mulligan (Best Actress - An Education) or Helena Bonham Carter (Best Actress - The King's Speech), who may very well be seen in the race as well if this film pans out.

Here's the trailer:

Looks pretty good, doesn't it? Here's the plot summary according to IMDb:

The foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State.

The film is likely to get press largely because of its subject matter and The Academy's love affair with historical pieces. However, what is immediately striking is how perfectly laid out this trailer is. It gives enough for a viewer to understand what is going on. It creates the conflict. Then it breaks into a montage with a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" that may be a little anachronistic, but fits too nicely to cause any problems. It is actually kind of beautiful in that way. More than anything, it allows the trailer to play out without giving any questionable piece of material.

This is likely going to be a film that will be discussed at length in the Fall upon its release. It definitely feels like it is going for prestige status big time. I can see many rallying around Streep for a nomination. I can only hope that everyone else turns in an equally great performance. For now, we have a very good trailer that kicks off awards season with at least some hope of class. Who knows what else will make the cut. For now, we can just enjoy that cover of "Landslide" a few more times and enjoy the summer months before the big season starts up.