Philomena is a simply plotted film that works really well because of its simplicity. The titular character, portrayed by Dame Judi Dench, had a son when she was a young woman. She had the child out of wedlock, and lived in a convent where her son was eventually put for adoption.
50 years later, with a family of her own, her thoughts drift back to that that time and the son she never saw again. She recruits the services of Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) who slowly but surely forms a bond with her as the film goes on.
The film banks on the performances of Dench and Coogan, and their comedic timing is spot on. Judi Dench comes across as a loveable old lady who just wants to see her son again. Her drive to see her son is compounded by a sense of guilt from what she experienced long ago.
Steve Coogan's character slowly becomes a son figure for this lady and their interactions are quite entertaining. He even comes to defend her later on when he confronts the convent sisters who set up her son for adoption.
The movie takes a few liberties with the actual facts, but the identity of Philomena's son and the real life character of Martin Sixsmith (he really was writing something about Russian history) is on point. The film even ends with actual footage of the real guy in the credits.
In true British fashion the film ends with life continuing on as normal, but with people changed (either for better or worse.) It's not as glitzy as the other films contending for an Oscar, but it ends up there toe to toe with the best of them.
No comments:
Post a Comment