Philomena

Philomena

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Coming to theatres this week from director Stephen Frears and BBC Films comes a story based on the book about PHILOMENA.

This film tells the story of Philomena Lee (Dame Judi Dench), a mother who has been carrying a fifty-year secret. As a young woman she has a son Michael while in a convent. Working every day to pay back a debt, Philomena only sees her son an hour every day but he is the joy of her life.

That is until Sister Hildegarde (Barbara Jefford) has Michael adopted out to another family. Devastated, the young woman becomes an older woman with one thought – to find her son.

Philomena meets Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), a writer on the outs as a political journalist with the BBC looking for the next big story. Taking on the search he has no idea what he will discover or if her son can ever be found.

What begins as a just a story turns into an journey of discover for both Philomena and Sixsmith. Filled with love, sadness, laughter and outrage – these two unlikely travelers will become the most likely friends.

FINAL WORD: Dame Judi Dench as Philomena is nothing short of spectacular. This character made me laugh, cry, laugh some more and cry even harder. The story tests the limits of everything we come to expect from our spiritual advisors. Dench is riveting to watch as she slowly but surely grabs the viewer’s heart and doesn’t let go until the very end – and even then there is something noble left behind. Last year’s THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL showed she still had ‘it’ and PHILOMENA shows she’s going to keep it!

Coogan as Sixsmith is an arrogant and self-serving smart ass that had me laughing under my breath. It actually felt like I was giggling at a schoolboy who misbehaves but gets away with it because he’s charming. Coogan has that down pat here! When he truly delves into the story there is a part of himself that he has to deal with whether he likes it or not – I personally liked the outcome.

Jefford as Sister Hildegarde gets the award for the nun least likely to be liked as a nun in a film ever! Having that title only means Jefford did her job exceedingly well and for that ma’m I thank you.

Other cast include: Sophie Clark as Young Philomena, Mare Winningham as Mary, Ruth McCabe as Mother Barbara, Anna Martin as Jane, Michelle Fairley as Sally, Wunmi Mosaku as the Nun, Amy McAllister as Sister Anunciata, Charlie Murphy as Kathleen, Cathy Belton as Sister Claire, and Peter Hermann as Pete Olsson.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give PHILOMENA four and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This truly is an amazing film of an unspeakable event, sadness and a humor only a mother could have. This true story is one that can only be experienced with these amazing actors giving it a hand up.

The relationship between Dench and Coogan on screen is pure magic. Watching Dench take on Coogan’s crankiness and lack of faith pitted against her characters own unwillingness to place blame brings an understanding that can only be described as thoughtful. The videos of Philomena’s ‘son’ are stunning and doesn’t leave a dry eye adding layers to the story that cannot be missed.

In 2009, Martin Sixsmith wrote the book ‘The Lost Child of Philomena Lee: A Mother, Her Son and a Fifty-Year Search’ based on what happened at the convent of Roscrea in Limerick. 

This film has already won the audience award at the Hamptons International Film Festival, won 2nd place at the Toronto International Film Festival, and 9 awards at the Venice Film Festival for director Frears and Best Screenplay for Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope.

In the end – two unlikely companions and one journey to find her long lost son!