Saturday, December 28, 2013

Philomena - Movie Review

Philomena (R) 98 minutes A-
Human Interest

Starring Anna Maxwell Martin, Dame Judi Dench, Judi Dench, Mare Winningham, Michelle Fairley, Steve Coogan

Philomena is based on the true story of Philomena Lee, played by Dame Judi Dench.  As a teenager in 1950s Ireland, Philomena became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.  Shortly thereafter, her baby boy was taken from her.  Fifty years later her only goal in life is to find out what became of her son.  Initially, the trailer for this film struck me as a dull and pandering to the older holiday crowd (because it can't be all fart jokes and explosions).  But, this film is funny, cynical and frankly, surprisingly touching.  Steve Coogan is marvelous, as is Dame Judi Dench.  Philomena is very understated, but don't let that fool you.  High Recommended.

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