Philomena Review

Rathing:
15
Distributor:
Pathe (UK)
Release Date:
1st November 2013 (UK) 27th November 2013(USA)
Director:
Stephen Frears
Cast:
Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Mare Winningham, Michelle Fairley

Simultaneously heartfelt and amusing, you would be hard pressed to find a film more charming than Philomena this year. This is hardly surprising when you have the wit of a screenplay penned by Steve Coogan and the acting might of Dame Judi Dench involved.

Stephen Frears' film tackles the true story of Philomena Lee (Dench) - an Irish woman who teams up with political advisor turned-journalist, Martin Sixsmith (Coogan), to track down her long lost son who was put up for adoption by her convent.

Frears directs Philomena with a warm sense of hopefulness which remains throughout this quietly uplifting film. Coogan and Jeff Pope's screenplay takes us in a number of directions, interacting with a huge spectrum of human emotions - from initial hopefulness to crushing disappointment which builds to a somewhat angry and subsequently uplifting conclusion. Focused performances from Dench and Coogan ensure that every twist and turn of this screenplay finds its way to the audience with Philomena inspiring, amusing, and on more than a few occasions tugging at the heartstrings.

The odd-couple dynamic makes for an amusing and occasionally difficult watch. The sweet (yet surprisingly aware) Philomena's relationship with the cynical Oxford educated Sixsmith is often endearing, and ultimately heart-warming. This is showcased mainly through Sixsmith's slight transformation as a character (who is originally horrified by the prospect of working on a human interested story for the "weak minded and easily manipulated"), yet grows to have a very deep personal involvement in Philomena's case.

Dench is truly sublime as Philomena. Seeing the character's optimism and hope being shaken as she delves into the past has the emotional weight of a ton of bricks. Dench remains charming and downright loveable, whilst showcasing just exactly why she's a national treasure. The actress can convey a tremendous emotion and tragedy in the smallest of glances or gestures, whilst also getting plenty of opportunities to show off an impressive comic streak.

Coogan is given the chance to remind us that he is a solid dramatic actor (just as he did in What Maisie Knew, earlier in the year) delivering a far more understated and emotionally low-key performance to that of Dench.

Philomena is understated yet tremendously powerful, thanks to a touching and effortlessly amusing screenplay from Coogan and Pope. Frears directs with an endearing optimism whilst Dench and Coogan make for a tremendously watchable on-screen double act.

★★★★☆

Andrew McArthur

Journalists on the Big Screen

On 1st November the story of Philomena will be released. Philomena tells the true dramatic story of a teenager falling pregnant in Ireland. Labelled as a fallen woman, she was sent to a convent where her baby was taken and adopted against her will. Filled with guilt, Philomena cannot keep her 50 year long secret anymore. With the immense help of journalist Martian Sixsmith, she starts a journey to uncover the truth about her son. With the release of this highly anticipated movie, we are taking a look back at some of the greatest real-life journalists portrayed on the screen.

All The President’s Men (1976)

This Academy Award-winning political thriller tells the non-fiction story about the two journalists (played very famously by the legends Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman) investigating the Watergate scandal for The Washington Post. The film received numerous good mentions including two Academy Awards.

Welcome To Sarajevo (1997)

UK journalist Michael Henderson (Stephen Dillane) and US journalist Jimmy Fynn (woody Harrelson) meet at the beginning of the Bosnian war in Sarajevo. As their time in Sarajevo continues, the suffering of the community becomes apparent. Using his power as a journalist, Henderson makes a report on a local orphanage which lies on the front lines of the war where the suffering of the children is overwhelming. Henderson makes the suffering in the orphanage his lead story to draw attention to the war and becomes heavily involved in the evacuation.

Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)

Set in the early days of broadcast journalism, Good Night and Good Luck tells the story of journalist Edward R. Murrow and his loyal team as they refuse to obey the corporate and sponsorship pressure to discredit the tactics used by Joseph McCarthy during his frequent communist allegations. Nominated for six Academy Awards, six BAFTAs, and four Golden Globes, the movie was highly successful.

The Boys Are Back (2009)

This emotional drama follows the story of Joe Warr (Clive Owen) a British sports writer as his life unravels. Warr’s wife is diagnosed with cancer and dies, leaving him as a single parent with the responsibility of balancing writing and parenting.

Philomena (2013)

Steve Coogan plays Martin Sixsmith, a recently sacked political spin doctor and former journalist who has hit rock bottom. Following the extraordinary story of a mother (Judi Dench) and the quest to find her long lost son, Philomena gives Coogan the chance to show off his considerable acting skills in a heartfelt straight role – that he won the best screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival for co-writing the film must be a welcome bonus!



Follow Martin and Philomena as they seek out the truth in PHILOMENA – released in the UK on November 1st.

Watch The UK Trailer For Stephen Frear's Philomena

Whilst we know all about  Steve Coogan's comedy talents many may not know of his versatility and deliver something serious as well as dramatic, this November we will see that side of Coogan we don't see much off. This afternoon we will get a glimpse of his dramatic chops when we enjoy the UK trailer for Philomena.

Starring  Dame Judi Dench, Philomena  is a tragic true tale set in 1950′s Ireland  of Philomena Lee (Dench) who falls pregnant giving birth to a boy in a Catholic home for unmarried mothers. Years later she is forced to give up her child and has  to become a nun made to sign a declaration not to ever look  for her Son.Years later now living in UK with help from local news reporter Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) to hunt her son down.

Whilst Look Of Love (and What Maisie Knew out this month)gave us a insight to what Coogan to offer, Philomena  is also co-written by Coogan which has even sparked Oscar talk, especially as this film has the emotion levels the Academy love. What mustn't forget  Judi Dench looks like she'll deliver deeply moving and powerful, if your looking for something with humour, Coogan told Variety....

"The film is a comic tragedy or a tragic comedy,It's about two very different people, at different stages of their lives, who help each other and show that there is laughter even in the darkest places."

Philomena arrives in UK on 1st November 2013.

Synopsis

Judi Dench and Steve Coogan play unlikely friends in PHILOMENA, the moving, funny and at times shocking true story of one woman’s search for a lost son.

Directed by BAFTA winner Stephen Frears (The Queen), PHILOMENA will open in the UK and Ireland on 1 November 2013.

Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a “fallen woman”. When her baby was only a toddler, he was taken away by the nuns for adoption in America. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for him but with no success.

Then she met Martin Sixsmith, a world-weary political journalist who happened to be intrigued by her story. Together they set off to America on a journey that would not only reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena’s son, but also create an unexpectedly close bond between Philomena and Martin.

The film is a compelling narrative of human love and loss that ultimately celebrates life, showing that there is laughter even in the darkest places.

Sixsmith’s book "The Lost Child Of Philomena Lee" was published in 2009. It acted as a catalyst for thousands of adopted Irish children and their ‘shamed’ mothers to come forward to tell their stories. Many are still searching for their lost families.

first posted at : Thepeoplesmovies