The Weinstein Company, Yucaipa Films, Pathé,
Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Anna Maxwell Martin, Ruth McCabe, Barbara Jefford, Kate Fleetwood, Peter Hermann, Mare Winningham, Michelle Fairley
This is the true life story of Philomena (Judi Dench) who when she was a young girl, found herself pregnant and her family sent her off to live in a convent. She had a son, who was given away to an adoptive couple. Fifty years later, Philomena finally tells her daughter about her older step brother and the daughter convinces her to contact a disgraced reporter Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) and together they make a desperate search for the son she had never heard from again.
This is such a wonderful story. It’s basically built on fact, although they did change a few things around to try to make it a better (or less controversial) story. The real Philomena is on the special features, and tells a lot about her side of the story and how she was thrilled to have Dame Judi Dench play her in this film. She cooperated with the movie and was very pleased that her story could be shared to the world. There are a lot of surprises, and unexpected events along the journey, and it’s really tragic, but Philomena has such a good spirit and a forgiving nature, that she doesn’t hold any grudges against anyone, even though she has many reasons too. Judi Dench is fabulous as always, and carries the story. But Steve Coogan, who seems at first to be a rather odd choice, actually is very appropriate as Martin Sixsmith, and deftly portrays the characters bias and fears, and lack of belief, completely unlike Philomena. The story tells the story of these odd friends, perhaps more than the story of Philomena’s son. Certainly this is all about the journey. Very, very touching, and I must admit that I was spellbound by this story. It made me mad, but also, again due to Philomena’s character, made me feel good after all. This is an excellent film, and certainly deserved more praise than it got this past years awards season. This, to me, has to be the best picture I’ve seen in 2013. I loved it, and I highly recommend this story if you have an ounce of compassion in your body. Wonderfully written, and spectacularly performed. This is a wonderful movie.
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