Review of Philomena (2013) by Lisa K — 29 Aug 2014

This film is a must see. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan do a beautiful job of portraying their characters. The more of this story is that forgiveness allows a victim to have a whole heart in which to enjoy life and better the lives of others.

Philomena was violated on many levels by the Catholic religion that she holds so dear. Throughout her life, she kept the light of God shining while dreaming of her lost son and keeping all resentments of her abusers at bay.

She kept a smile and a warm heart for the man that impregnated her as a teenager, as well as her memories of their sexual encounter. Even though, she was told that she had sinned, she did not regret her actions.

She loved her son and lived for seeing him once a week while she was held as a prisoner in the convent. She delivered her son without any medicine even though he was breech and begged for his life during delivery, but held no grudges to the evil nuns.

There was a loving nun who rose above the chains of the convent to give Philomena a photo of her son, which she cherished her whole life. The end of the movie shows the difference between the evil nun and the lovely Philomena.

Philomena has a beautiful, soft smile and she is gracious, happy and fulfilled knowing that her journey was complete. The nun was old, decrepit, nasty and miserable. Philomena wins on all accounts by loving God, her children and her life.

She is a true saint. When one loves as deeply as Philomena loved her son, one can't be brought down by oppression.