None of the movies out this week was in my list of movies to watch this year. However, I was out with friends and thought might as well we catch a movie together as we had never done so before. A pal chose The Dressmaker from the list of movies to watch this week and I have to be honest, the tagline “Revenge is back in fashion” does pique my interest a little. Also, Kate Winslet. So, on we went to watch the movie and I was pleasantly surprised.

The Dressmaker starred Kate Winslet as Myrtle Dunnage, who came back to her hometown called Dungatar in Australia, 25 years after her 10-year-old self was sent away when she was wrongly accused of murdering her schoolmate. She returned home as an accomplished dressmaker to take care of her ailing mother, Molly (Judy Davis), and at the same time, seek revenge on those who wronged her. Along the way, she fell in love with the handsome and kind-hearted man named Teddy (Liam Hemsworth).

Honestly, this movie could have gone into a sad love story if not for a couple of saves that maintained the focus on the story of Myrtle and her journey to find the truth. And I’m thankful for that or this movie would have gotten a lower rating from me because yours truly is not going to go and waste $10 ticket price on a sad romance ala Nicholas Sparks’ endless amount of movies starring white actors!

The movie was also saved by a handful amount of comical dialogues and scenes, mostly due to Molly’s crazy antics. But there were some heart-breaking moments that did make this one cry a little.

All in all, it was entertaining – a drama with a little dash of comedy and some eye-candy cannot go wrong – and did not bore me to sleep, which was my expectation as I walked into the theatre. And of course, one could never forget the haute couture in the movie. It’s like watching Paris Fashion Week! Karl Lagerfield and Coco Chanel would be so proud.

I give this movie a 3.5 out of 5. It may be PG-13 but please don’t bring your kids. There are some things you do not want to explain.

Trailer…