Philomena (2013)
Philomena is a tough enough movie to watch, but when you find out it was a true story, it becomes truly heartbreaking. Judi Dench takes the lead and manages to be innocent and mature, sturdy and open-minded, caring and strong, naïve and intuitive. She plays the title character, an older woman who wants to find out what happened to her baby son she gave up for adoption decades ago.
Journalist Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the film!) helps her navigate her journey. He’s incredibly cynical and doesn’t hold human nature in high regard, but as he gets to know his traveling companion, he realizes she might be the only person in the world who hasn’t let life beat her down. If this is your first movie of his, he’ll make such an impression, you’ll come to call him “the Philomena guy” as my mom does. He radiates anger and pain, and you can’t help but hope Judi Dench will just give him a hug and help him feel better.
She doesn’t, though. This isn’t a feel-good movie. No one will feel better, and in fact, as the movie continues, you and the character will feel a lot worse. This is a very heavy movie that sheds a very unflattering light on the Catholic-run orphanage that created all the trouble. But if you can handle it, you’ll be rewarded by one of Judi Dench’s best performances. And you’ll certainly want to give your kids an extra kiss goodnight.
More Judi Dench movies here!
Journalist Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the film!) helps her navigate her journey. He’s incredibly cynical and doesn’t hold human nature in high regard, but as he gets to know his traveling companion, he realizes she might be the only person in the world who hasn’t let life beat her down. If this is your first movie of his, he’ll make such an impression, you’ll come to call him “the Philomena guy” as my mom does. He radiates anger and pain, and you can’t help but hope Judi Dench will just give him a hug and help him feel better.
She doesn’t, though. This isn’t a feel-good movie. No one will feel better, and in fact, as the movie continues, you and the character will feel a lot worse. This is a very heavy movie that sheds a very unflattering light on the Catholic-run orphanage that created all the trouble. But if you can handle it, you’ll be rewarded by one of Judi Dench’s best performances. And you’ll certainly want to give your kids an extra kiss goodnight.
More Judi Dench movies here!