POZitive Attitudes

When it was first announced, Widows seemed like an incongruous, Mad Libs, names-out-of-a-tombola project. Turner Prize-winning artist and Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen, adapting a 1980s ITV television series, itself based on a Lynda La Plante novel? What next, Terrence Malick tackling Inspector Morse? Anish Kapoor’s Minder? And yet, somehow, Widowsworks. There’s a strange alchemy to make its disparate constituent parts fit — or at least, fit once McQueen has moulded it carefully to his specifications. The result is a mixture of high-minded prestige cinema and explosive multiplex entertainment. For those lamenting the dumbing down of blockbusters, here is one with something to say.

CAST

• Viola Davis as Veronica Rawlings, a Chicago teachers’ union delegate and Harry’s wife.
• Michelle Rodriguez as Linda Perelli, a clothing store owner and Carlos’ wife.
• Elizabeth Debicki as Alice Gunner, Agnieszka’s daughter and Florek’s wife, who turns to escorting to support herself after her husband’s death.
• Cynthia Erivo as Belle, a babysitter and beautician who looks after Linda’s children, and works with Veronica’s group.
• Colin Farrell as Jack Mulligan, Tom’s son and a politician who is mixed up in the widows’ plans.
• Brian Tyree Henry as Jamal Manning, Jatemme’s brother, a crime boss and politician, who believes Veronica is indebted to him.
• Daniel Kaluuya as Jatemme Manning, Jamal’s brother and his mob enforcer.
• Garret Dillahunt as Bash, the Rawlings family chauffeur.
• Carrie Coon as Amanda Nunn, Jimmy’s wife a widow, who is not involved in the robbery.