Review 285: Philomena
Philomena is a deeply sad and affecting drama film, a magnificent voyage of discovery and an example that Stephen Frears is one of the best British directors.
Based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixthsmith (Steve Coogan, also one of the films screenwriters), a world-weary political journalist picks up the story of Philomena Lee's (Judi Dench) search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.
The plot is really touching and it's a very realistic film for several reasons in that it's based on a true story but also like life it doesn't end with all the ends neatly tied up in a fictional film.
A part from finding Philomena a very poignant film, it also has some humorous moments, even if some were a bit iffy for me, however those humorous moments are necessary because they lighten up the mood of this really realistic and sad film.
Philomena also isn't a run-of-the-mill story of a women desperately trying to find her son. What makes it interesting are the moments of real candour e.g. Martin Sixthsmith being brutally direct with the nuns and refusing to take no for an answer.
Another great aspect to the film is the relationship between Philomena and Martin because they are two very different people, of different ages and backgrounds, but who are both a bit down and they form a unlikely friendship as they journey to find Philomena's son. When he first meets Philomena Martin is not interested and says he doesn't do human interest stories as he's a news journalist but over time he grows to really care about her and really determined to help her find her son.
All of these points for me add up to a really moving story of confronting the past and friendship.
Director Stephen Frears' direction is tender, the cinematography is beautiful, the score by Alexandre Desplat is beautiful, the locations are terrific, the production design is fabulous, the costumes are excellent, there's also some nice humor sprinkled throughout the scenery is grim and adds to the tone of the film and the ending was superb.
The acting is ernest and mesmirising, Judi Dench ans Steve Coogan are fabulous in their roles and truly sell the whole film. Philomena
Philomena is a sad and poignent drama and one of Stephen Frears' best films in recent years, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
Based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixthsmith (Steve Coogan, also one of the films screenwriters), a world-weary political journalist picks up the story of Philomena Lee's (Judi Dench) search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.
The plot is really touching and it's a very realistic film for several reasons in that it's based on a true story but also like life it doesn't end with all the ends neatly tied up in a fictional film.
A part from finding Philomena a very poignant film, it also has some humorous moments, even if some were a bit iffy for me, however those humorous moments are necessary because they lighten up the mood of this really realistic and sad film.
Philomena also isn't a run-of-the-mill story of a women desperately trying to find her son. What makes it interesting are the moments of real candour e.g. Martin Sixthsmith being brutally direct with the nuns and refusing to take no for an answer.
Another great aspect to the film is the relationship between Philomena and Martin because they are two very different people, of different ages and backgrounds, but who are both a bit down and they form a unlikely friendship as they journey to find Philomena's son. When he first meets Philomena Martin is not interested and says he doesn't do human interest stories as he's a news journalist but over time he grows to really care about her and really determined to help her find her son.
All of these points for me add up to a really moving story of confronting the past and friendship.
Director Stephen Frears' direction is tender, the cinematography is beautiful, the score by Alexandre Desplat is beautiful, the locations are terrific, the production design is fabulous, the costumes are excellent, there's also some nice humor sprinkled throughout the scenery is grim and adds to the tone of the film and the ending was superb.
The acting is ernest and mesmirising, Judi Dench ans Steve Coogan are fabulous in their roles and truly sell the whole film. Philomena
Philomena is a sad and poignent drama and one of Stephen Frears' best films in recent years, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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