Review of Vera Drake (2004) by Darius D — 07 Nov 2008

Powerful story, fantastic performances.

Vera Drake is a philanthropist, a loved mother, and a dear wife.

Never asking for money, believing her action is for a good cause, she helps women of the working class by inducing miscarriages illegally. Although the camera steers to sympathize and to beg forgiveness, the film remains neutral on the subject of abortion. Our apprehension for Vera does not make us supporters of her felonious conduct, but to admire altruism whilst realizing its fragility--correlating to the ethical duality of the consequentialist's nature. Moreover, Vera's frightening virtue and secrecy--or simply ignorance and naivety--reveals a degree of her hermetically dark nature, making the character even more complex and impressive. A large part of the credits goes to Staunton's restrained, repressive facial features, and her acting talent.