PHILOMENA – The Review

PHILOMENA is the joyful movie of 2013.

The emotional story is inspired by true events, tinged with both tragedy and comedy, about two very different people who join forces for a remarkable road trip.  They are seeking to uncover the truth behind a heartbreaking story that has remained a mystery for half a century.

Philomena Lee, an Irishwoman in her 70’s, became pregnant as a teenager in 1952. Her family abandoned her out of shame and sent her to a convent in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, where, along with other young girls in the same predicament, she was regarded as ‘a fallen woman’. In compensation for the nuns taking her in and looking after her during childbirth she was made to work in the laundry there and only allowed access to her young son, Anthony, for an hour a day. When he was only three Anthony was taken from the convent against her will; the Catholic nuns at Roscrea had agreed to sell him for adoption to an American family for £1000. Philomena spent the next 50 years trying in vain to find him.

Through a lucky set of circumstances she happened to meet Martin Sixsmith, an ex-BBC foreign correspondent and former director of communications for Tony Blair’s government. When Philomena tells Martin about her long search for her son, he realizes that hers is a remarkable story. He arranges for the two of them to visit the United States to find out what happened to Anthony.

Together they embark on an extraordinary road trip. Philomena notices the differences between them and while flying to America, she can tell that Martin is uneasy about flying in the Coach section – as if it’s beneath him. In just one example of Steve Coogan’s and Jeff Pope’s witty script, she tells Martin, “Just because you’re in First Class, it doesn’t make you a 1st class person.”
On the way they learn from each other, see a different point of view, and find reasons to laugh.

While their search is often underpinned by sadness, Philomena learns about her son and his life.

These real-life characters, Philomena Lee and Martin Sixsmith, are played by Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench (SKYFALL, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL) and Steve Coogan (THE LOOK OF LOVE, 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE).

Philomena and Martin make an odd couple. She’s a plain speaker and a trusting soul who takes people at face value.  Despite all the injustices she has suffered she still retains her religious faith.  Philomena loves the simplicity of life.

In contrast he is sophisticated and well highly educated, yet having lost his job in politics and been publicly humiliated, he’s cynical and without religious conviction.

Philomena never thought that her journey would lead to this. She was raised a Catholic and she carries a lot of guilt about what happened in her life.  She worries, “what will people think of me?”  She didn’t want to embarrass her family.  Martin manages to convince Philomena that there are still other people in the same situation and she is moved to continue their quest to an unimaginable conclusion.

Based on Sixsmith’s book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee, PHILOMENA is from the Oscar nominated director, Stephen Frears (THE QUEEN). His movie is about mothers, babies, children – something everyone can identify with – and he deftly balances this story between what’s funny and what’s tragic.

The beautiful score is from Alexandre Desplat and will move you to tears.  Hair and make-up artist, Naomi Donne, convincingly transforms Judi Dench into a little old Irish lady.  It’s remarkable.  See the real Philomena Lee at the NY premiere of the Weinstein Company’s film. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B72bGjiiD-w)

The cinematography from Robbie Ryan, costume design by Consolata Boyle with production design from Alan Macdonald pulls the viewer completely into this tale about love, loss, separation, and ultimately redemption.

PHILOMENA is a performance-driven movie.  Steve Coogan’s Martin is sophisticated and educated and while Judi Dench’s Philomena comes from a humbler background, she often ‘reads’ people and situations better than he does.  This is Steve Coogan’s best work and a career making performance.  He and his screenplay are just wonderful.

Judi Dench is terrific. She gives the audience a kindly woman who comes through this ordeal with love and forgiveness.  She is Philomena Lee.  Expect Dench to receive a lot of Awards Season notice in the months to come.

See this lovely film. PHILOMENA is about the triumph of the human spirit and will make your heart soar.

The film is rated PG-13 and opens in St. Louis on Wednesday, November 27th.