Review of Philomena (2013) by Luke G — 27 Apr 2014

Directed by Stephen Frears, who has had success on both sides of the Atlantic, makes this true life drama set on both sides of the Atlantic. Based on the 2009 book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, this is a touching film which is heartfelt, emotional and with a gentle sense of humour about it's bones, it has a big heart as well and a perfect pairing at it's core.

BBC Journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) has just lost his job as a Labour government advisor after an email was taken out of context, looking for something to do, at a party, he hears the story of Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) was put in a convent in Ireland, and she was forced to give up her son for adoption by the nuns.

She kept this secret for 50 years, and Martin agrees to write about her story and search for her son. At Roscrea Abbey, where Philomena was held, they find the adoption records were destroyed, but they learn that the children were sold to rich families from America, so they head off to Washington to find out more.

It's a very moving film, but it'll leave you cursing at the Catholic Church for doing this to poor women back then. But, at it's heart is Dench as the mother who kept this secret, and Coogan as the embittered Sixsmith, who slowly finds himself warming to Philomena.

It's a winner of a film, and well worth a look.