Saturday, June 14, 2014

Searching For Her Son: Review of Philomena Staring Judy Dench and Steve Coogan


Philomena 
Released: 2013 
Starring: Judy Dench and Steve Coogan 

Philomena chronicles the search and depth of a mother’s love for a child she lost to adoption years ago. 

Philomena Lee was a young woman whose brief romantic encounter ended in an unplanned pregnancy which was shunned by both her religion and society in the mid-twentieth century. Desperate and in need of help, she entered a convent for “girls in trouble” run by local nuns. 

Suddenly, her world is ripped apart before her eyes, as a sedan pulls up to the steps of the convent. Out walked sweet, cherubic Anthony and a friend’s daughter. Helplessly, her heart skips a beat as she ran frantically after the sedan with the newly adopted children. That day her determined spirit is shadowed by the sadness of the profound loss of a child she barely knew. 

Fifty years later, on Anthony’s birthday, Philomena stares at a time-worn photo of her son given to her by one of the kind nuns in the convent. Her daughter, comments on the picture and find out the hidden secret. 

As a cocktail waitress for exclusive parties, her daughter meets former BBC journalist Martin Sixsmith. She asks Martin to help her mother locate the son she had lost to adoption. 

Begrudgingly, Martin takes the assignment. Through his tireless research, he finds out the “fluff” human interest journalism he despises can impact not only the life of an elderly woman, but his own. With much trial, tribulation, and travel, Martin and Philomena investigate her son’s journey and times. 

Judy Dench is superb. Her unnervingly raw and heartfelt portrayal of Philomena breathed life into this captivating film. Steve Coogan gave a remarkable, guarded and hard-edged appeal to Martin Sixsmith’s steely demeanor. 


More About the Film 

Official Website: 


(Awards page source: Internet Movie Database) 

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