I Am Woman (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Unjoo Moon (director and producer) |
| Products | Biographical film |
I Am Woman is a 2019 Australian biographical film that chronicles the life of singer Helen Reddy. The film was directed and produced by Unjoo Moon, with a screenplay written by Emma Jensen. Tilda Cobham-Hervey stars as Reddy, accompanied by Evan Peters portraying her manager and husband Jeff Wald, and Danielle Macdonald as rock journalist Lillian Roxon.
Plot
In 1966, Helen Reddy travels to New York City to record an album after winning a competition in Australia. When the record company withdraws their contract, she finds herself stranded with her three-year-old daughter, Traci. To make ends meet, Reddy performs at small nightclubs and reconnects with rock writer Lilian Roxon. At a party hosted by Roxon, she encounters talent agent Jeff Wald, who becomes her manager and eventually her spouse. They relocate to Los Angeles seeking improved career prospects.
At first, Wald faces challenges promoting Reddy due to industry preferences favoring male acts. His persistent efforts with Capitol Records result in securing a single for her, and with grassroots support from friends and family, the B-side cover of "I Don't Know How to Love Him" turns into her initial hit. Their rising success enables them to purchase a larger home and adopt the Hollywood lifestyle, although Wald develops a cocaine addiction.
Motivated by the feminist movement, Reddy composes "I Am Woman." Despite being dismissed by executives as "angry" and "man-hating," Wald supports its inclusion in her live performances. The track ultimately becomes her most successful single and an anthem for feminism.
Reddy attains eight number one adult contemporary singles in the US, hosts her own television show, and secures a residency in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, pressures from the industry place strain on her marriage. Following Roxon's death from asthma, Reddy attempts to cancel upcoming concerts but Wald insists she continues performing. After an incident where Wald assaults recording staff while intoxicated, Reddy collapses and learns that the feminist Equal Rights Amendment has failed. Burdened by debt attributed to their accountant's mismanagement, they divorce, sell their home, and Reddy retires in the early 1980s.
Encouraged by Traci in 1989, Reddy returns to perform "I Am Woman" at a feminist rally in Washington, D.C., concluding the film with thousands joining her on the National Mall.
Cast
- Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Helen Reddy
- Evan Peters as Jeff Wald
- Danielle Macdonald as Lilian Roxon
- Molly Broadstock as Traci
- Coco Greenstone as young Traci
- Chris Parnell as Artie Mogull
- Jordan Raskopoulos as George Sylvia
- Matty Cardarople as Roy Meyer
- Liam Douglas as Jordan
- Chelsea Cullen provides the singing voice for Helen Reddy
Production
Prior to her passing one month after the film’s release in Australia, Reddy resided in a care facility in Los Angeles; her family offered guidance to the filmmakers. Director Moon highlighted the importance of depicting Helen with sensitivity and arranged screenings for Reddy herself, her former husband Jeff Wald, and their children. This process was emotionally impactful, with Reddy responding favorably to how she was portrayed.
Screen Australia served as the primary financier alongside Cowlick Entertainment and arts organization Create NSW, while additional funding came from the Goodship Women's Fund, which supports films promoting social change messages.
Release
The movie made its debut on 5 September 2019 at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was also showcased at the 24th Busan International Film Festival held in South Korea during October 2019.
On 27 February 2020, it served as the opening film for the 10th annual Athena Film Festival at Barnard College, Columbia University in New York, an event dedicated to honoring women's accomplishments.
Before the global disruptions caused by COVID-19, I Am Woman was planned for distribution in Australia through Transmission Films, with North American rights managed by Aqute Media. Additional international releases were arranged with Metropolitan (France), Nos (Portugal), Inopia (Spain), Videovision (South Africa), Front Row (Middle East), Bliss Media (China), Scene & Sound (South Korea), Ale Kino+ (Poland), VTI (former Yugoslavia), Cineplex (Taiwan), Golden A Entertainment (Thailand), and Cinesky for airline audiences.
The film had its premiere showings in Adelaide, the hometown of lead actress Cobham-Hervey, from 22 to 23 August 2020 under the auspices of the Adelaide Film Festival. Since 28 August 2020, it has been available for streaming throughout Australia via the Stan platform.
Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds an approval rating based on a number of reviews, with an average score reflecting general consensus. The critics’ summary notes that while I Am Woman adheres somewhat predictably to typical biopic conventions, Tilda Cobham-Hervey's portrayal ensures the affectionate tribute remains engaging and avoids becoming dull.
Indiewire described the film as “a cut above other genre entries,” whereas David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter characterized it as “entertaining and sharply packaged,” highlighting its broad appeal. Rooney commended Cobham-Hervey’s performance, emphasizing how she effectively invites audiences to support Helen Reddy’s experiences amid both personal and career obstacles.
The Toronto-based review site That Shelf referred to it as a “sure fire crowd pleaser.”
Director Unjoo Moon was honored with the Athena Breakthrough Award at the Athena Film Festival.
Accolades
| Award | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards (10th) | Best Film | Rosemary Blight | Template:Nom |
| Unjoo Moon | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Actress | Tilda Cobham-Hervey | Template:Nom | |
| Best Editing | Dany Cooper | Template:Nom | |
| Best Original Music Score | Rafael May | Template:Nom | |
| Best Sound | Robert Mackenzie | Template:Nom | |
| Ben Osmo | Template:Nom | ||
| Pete Smith | Template:Nom | ||
| Tara Webb | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Production Design | Richie Dehne | Template:Nom | |
| Michael Turner | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Costume Design | Emily Seresin | Template:Nom | |
| Best Hair and Makeup | Nikki Gooley | Template:Nom | |
| Cassie O’Brien | Template:Nom | ||
| Wendy de Waal | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Casting | Nikki Barrett | Template:Nom |
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was issued by Goalpost and distributed through Sony Music Australia on 21 August 2020, available both on CD (catalog number 19439761892) and digitally. Bry Jones and Michael Tan produced the album, which features Chelsea Cullen providing the singing voice for Reddy in the movie.
At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards, this soundtrack received the ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2019 films
- 2019 biographical drama films
- 2010s English-language films
- 2010s feminist films
- 2010s musical drama films
- Australian biographical drama films
- Australian musical drama films
- Biographical films about singers
- Cultural depictions of Australian people
- Cultural depictions of pop musicians
- English-language biographical drama films
- Films set in the 1960s
- Films set in 1966
- Films set in the 1970s
- Films set in 1989
- Films set in the Las Vegas Valley
- Films set in Los Angeles
- Films set in New York City
- Films set in Washington, D.C.
- Helen Reddy
- Musical films based on actual events
- Screen Australia films
- Stan (service) original films
- English-language musical drama films
- 2019 musical films