Review of Vera Drake (2004) by Elona T — 26 Dec 2004

[b]This is an incredible film! It brings to light gender and class issues amidst the hot topic of abortion. Set in the early 1950s, in working-class London, the film focuses on a woman who cares for everyone around her, works several jobs, again in a caretaking capacity (housecleaning) and looks in on others. As an extension of this care-work, she also performs unpaid abortions. The women she services are those who could not afford to manipulate the legal system or pay for safe medical anonymous abortions - immigrants, women whose religions prohibit contraception, poor women with many children. Her method isn't ghastly, though potentially harmful, and to her knowledge in many years of practice no woman has ever suffered. [/b].

[b]The before and after of the system's discovery of Vera's abortion practice makes for fascinating film. This is a intense film about family life: the closeness of her immediate family - her husband and two adult children whom she is clearly the center and glue; her husband's brother and wife, whom Vera also plays a significant caretaking role; the bachelor neighbor whom Vera welcomes into the family - and how each and how they jointly handle the knowledge of Vera's actions. It is also real - how Vera's class would handle abortion and abortionists - and for this we must thank Mike Leigh for not giving us a Hollywood approach to the story. And finally there is a stableful of excellent performances - again evocative of Mike Leigh's work. But the notice must first and mostly be given to Imelda Staunton. She will remain my favorite for Oscar night. [/b].

[b]I left the theatre feeling like a character in the film - THAT is how artfully Leigh involves the viewer in the story and emotion of his film. Rare indeed.[/b].